MY SUPPORT TEAMI retired from professional hockey in April 2017 after making the personal decision to focus on my health and time with my family.
I’d spent my whole life on the ice, working through long practices and constantly traveling to different cities, so it wasn’t easy adjusting to a different lifestyle. Fortunately, Amanda has helped me so much over the last year. She also continues to encourage me to stay active. These last months, I’ve enjoyed taking walks with our dog and playing with our two young daughters.
Since my diagnosis, I’ve realized what matters most in my life. Spending time with my family, something I had limited time to do previously, is the highlight of my day. Little things, like cooking dinner or sitting down to read a bedtime story, have a lot of meaning for me.
I truly feel blessed to have my own fan club at home. I want to stay strong and be there for them. Working with my doctor, I continue the lifestyle habits I learned as an athlete, such as eating well and take the time I need to rest.
I’ve been humbled by my friends and former teammates who support me and keep me as motivated off the ice as they did when I was on it.
Their encouragement, along with those in the MS community who’ve reached out after learning about my diagnosis, is what inspires me to keep going and help others in their fight with MS. I believe we’re all in this together.