Move It or Lose It | Episode 143 Part 1 | Dennis White - Still Standing: Marine MS Warrior Stories

Summary

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Move It or Lose It | Episode 143 Part 1

Guest: Dennis White
Host: Kathy Chester
Theme: Still Standing: Marine MS Warrior Stories
Release Date: February 18, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this episode, host and MS warrior Kathy Chester sits down with Dennis White, a former U.S. Marine and Desert Storm veteran, to discuss his journey with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) — from his early days in the military to his experiences navigating the healthcare system as both a veteran and a person with MS. This candid and spirited conversation delves into the links between autoimmune diseases and military life, the realities of MS diagnosis and daily living, and Dennis's determined advocacy for his own health, including his battle to receive adaptive technology from the VA.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Military Background and “The Journey Begins”

• Dennis’s Marine Corps Service:

  • Joined in 1989, influenced by a family tradition of fitness and a desire to travel (01:29–02:36).

  • Deployed to Okinawa, Japan; contracted mononucleosis (Epstein-Barr virus), now known to be linked with higher MS risk (04:08–04:21).

    “As you know, the Epstein Barr virus is connected to multiple sclerosis.”
    — Kathy Chester [04:21]

• Life After Service:

  • Left military in 1993, lived in Ohio for over two decades before returning to Michigan during the pandemic (06:23–07:12).

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2. MS Diagnosis & The Emotional Journey

• Onset and Symptoms:

  • Early MS symptoms included leg weakness exacerbated by heat and exercise; sought help at the VA before being referred to an MS specialist (07:57–08:59).
  • Official diagnosis in 2014 after MRI and spinal tap.

• Diagnosis Process:

  • “I was kind of in denial when I first got diagnosed. It was something I didn’t want to accept.”
    — Dennis White [08:11]
  • Experience with Tecfidera (a DMT), which caused difficult stomach side effects (10:59–11:10).

• Coping After Diagnosis:

  • Researched alternative therapies and diet changes (inspired by Dr. Terry Wahls' work), in part out of fear from negative medication experiences shared online (11:23–11:52).
  • Struggled with physical fitness, gaining weight post-military, and the realization that symptoms were more than just "getting out of shape" (12:16–12:52).

• Ongoing Acceptance:

  • Discussion of the unpredictable, recurring grief process that comes with progressive disease:

    “I’ve always found that it's not just a one and done of the acceptance and the grieving part, because through the years we have different things that change with our multiple sclerosis.”
    — Kathy Chester [13:59]

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3. Living with MS: Family, Work, and Adapting Life

• Work and Mobility Challenges:

  • As symptoms worsened, Dennis transitioned from physically demanding hospital IT work at McLaren Hospital to a remote IT position with a Boston-based medical company (18:03–19:09).

  • Shared challenges of work, mobility, and family, highlighting the importance of remote work for those living with MS (19:15–20:05).

    “It’s probably the best IT job I’ve ever had in my life.”
    — Dennis White [19:09]

• Family Decisions:

  • Decision to move to Michigan driven by desire for family support, especially when MS symptoms began affecting daily life (16:17–17:18).
  • Candid discussion about his daughter's struggles adjusting during the pandemic after their move (20:05–20:23).

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4. Innovation and Advocacy: The MyoCycle Battle with the VA

• Discovery of the MyoCycle:

  • After a biking accident due to leg weakness and the need to remain active, Dennis researched adaptive devices and found the MyoCycle, a functional electric stimulation (FES) bike (22:03–23:04).

    “It's really amazing—helps with your spasticity. It strengthens your legs, it helps with blood flow… multiple advantages.”
    — Dennis White [24:51]

• Device Mechanics:

  • The MyoCycle uses eight electrodes per leg and four on the glutes to deliver electrical stimulation that helps move and strengthen muscles during cycling; resistance and intensity are adjustable for progressive training (23:16–24:51).

• VA System Challenges:

  • Despite being FDA-approved and widely beneficial for neuro conditions, Dennis struggled for years to get the device covered by the VA. His request was initially denied with the reasoning:

    “We do not supply bicycles to veterans.”
    — VA denial letter, recounted by Dennis White [27:50]

• Persistence Pays Off:

  • Dennis shared how he had to confront VA officials, educate providers, and advocate persistently for the device, highlighting the lack of awareness and systemic hurdles veterans with MS face (27:55–28:24).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Once a Marine, always a Marine.”
  — Dennis White [03:50]

• “It is that acceptance. And then… it’s not just a one and done… through the years, we have different things that change with our multiple sclerosis.”
  — Kathy Chester [13:59]

• “Being a Marine as well, it’s like, wait, what? We still get this? What is this?”
  — Kathy Chester [08:21]

• “When I got diagnosed, I probably weighed almost 300 pounds…”
  — Dennis White [12:16]

• “I thought, maybe I was just out of shape. So I started going to the gym…but by the time I got done, I was limping out of the gym.”
  — Dennis White [12:23–12:45]

• “I dove off the bike and landed on the grass, but the grass was wet, so I just…belly flopped right off the ground.”
  — Dennis White [22:33]

• “This is an FDA-approved device for people with multiple sclerosis…not something I saw on Instagram.”
  — Dennis White [28:20–28:24]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Segment | |:---------: | --------------------------------------------------------- | | 01:29–02:36| Marine Corps beginnings and physical preparation | | 04:08–04:21| Contracting mono and introduction to Epstein-Barr | | 07:57–08:59| Symptom onset and MS diagnosis | | 10:59–11:10| Experience with Tecfidera medication | | 11:23–11:52| Coping strategies and researching alternatives | | 12:16–12:52| Fitness struggles and misattributed symptoms | | 16:17–17:18| Move from Ohio to Michigan, family decisions | | 18:03–19:09| Transition to remote work | | 22:03–23:04| Biking accident and discovery of MyoCycle FES bike | | 23:16–24:51| Explanation of how the MyoCycle works | | 27:50 | The VA’s initial denial and Dennis’s advocacy | | 27:55–28:24| Confronting the VA and the battle for disability tech |

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Summary & Takeaways

This episode is a testament to resilience, humor, and advocacy in the face of adversity. Dennis White’s journey from Marine to MS warrior to adaptive technology advocate reveals:

• The interconnectedness between military service, viral exposure, and autoimmune risk
• The complex, emotional road to MS diagnosis, acceptance, and ongoing adjustment
• Realities and challenges of living and working with MS, including the need for flexible employment
• The vital importance of movement, adaptation, and fighting systemic barriers to access appropriate care and equipment for those with chronic illness, especially veterans

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For more information on adaptive devices like the MyoCycle, check episode notes or visit Myelin’s website (as cited by Dennis).

Next Episode Preview:
Stay tuned for Part 2, where Dennis and Kathy continue their discussion on life hacks for MS warriors, advocacy wins, and message of hope for listeners walking a similar path.

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Transcript

[A]

Foreign. Your host, Kathy Chester, and welcome to the Move it or Lose it podcast, a podcast about all things that move the mind, body and soul. The Move it or Lose it podcast is for information, awareness, and inspirational purposes only. I am not a doctor and I don't even Play 1 on TV, so please consult your doctor before making any medical decisions. The views expressed by advertisers, guests, or contributors are their opinions and not necessarily the views of the Move it or Lose it podcast. Hi, it's Kathy Chester, and we are excited today to have our podcast with Mr. Dennis White, who is a vet and he served in the Marine Corps. So lots of questions about autoimmune diseases, stuff like that, and being a vet. So something I've wanted to do for a long time is because I have a lot of veterans in my life and wanted to interview a real live Marine. But no, honestly, thank you, Dennis, for being with us on Move or Lose it today.

[B]

Yeah, thanks for having me.

[A]

Absolutely. So when you served in. When you were in the Marine Corps and you served, that was in. That was also. You did in Desert Storm. Right. So you were. You were in Operation Desert Storm. What year was that for you? When did you go in?

[B]

So I went in the marine Corps in 1989.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And I got out.

[A]

I wasn't even riding a Big Wheel then. I'm just kidding. So you got in. Say it again. 1980.

[B]

1989. So I graduated high school in 1988. Kind of took the summer to prepare for the Marine Corps. My dad was a runner, so I did a lot of running with him.

[A]

And did you run behind the car? No, no, he didn't have to do that.

[B]

No, he was a marathon runner. So we'd go to, like, Belle Isle and run around Belle Isle.

[A]

And we should say that you're from Michigan.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So you're here and so you are. I'm in Sterling Heights. And you're in West Bloomfield, Correct?

[B]

Right.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Yeah. So we used to run around Belle Isle, and I think I got up to like 10 miles before I went to boot camp. So I was. I was pretty in good, good. Pretty good shape when I left for boot camp. But yeah, then after boot camp, I was. Went to Marine combat training.

[A]

Did you know what you wanted to do?

[B]

No, I went in open contract because I. Out of high school, I didn't really want to go to college. I was like, trying to fig things. Also I thought the military was the best route because it. Yeah, I like to travel. So that offered me the opportunity to travel the world and for sure, you know, go all over and. Yeah, then I got out in 93 and never really had any health issues. I had some back issues, maybe from. I was in artillery. So it was a lot heavy lifting.

[A]

Right, but you're a Marine. You're made for that, right?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You'd be in the Air Force, right, if you didn't want a heavy lift. That's what I've always been told.

[B]

Right.

[A]

I mean, is there another branch besides the Marine Corps? Not to me, but yeah, that's what I hear from all Marines.

[B]

Yeah. But. But yeah, I mean, I. I love the Marine Corps. I had a great time while I was in. You know, I still talked to a lot of the guys that I was in with.

[A]

Once a Marine, always the Marine.

[B]

Yeah, pretty much. But when I was in. So I went in 89 when I got to the. They call it the fleet when you get to your unit. My first deployment was Okinawa, Japan.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And while I was in Okinawa, Japan, I got mono.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And as you know, the Epstein Barr virus is connected to multiple sclerosis.

[A]

Yes. Which we now know so much more about. So for those of you who are not listening, typically for those of us struggling with multiple sclerosis, we've now. We now understand that if you had mono or if you had something with Epstein Barr, then that is a precursor to. To multiple sclerosis. So you had that in Japan. What kind of medicine did they give you for that in Japan? How many girls did you test to get that?

[B]

None. That was the weird thing is I was on. When I got mono, I was on mess duty. Because when you're in Okinawa, you have to do. You have to. You have to either do guard duty or message for like, 30 days.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

So I was on mess duty and I started getting, like, a really bad sore throat.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

They originally diagnosed me with strep throat.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And then my strep throat got worse. Like, my throat almost closed shut, so I had to go back to sick bay. And they said, oh, you have mono.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And I just remember they put me on bed rest. And yeah, my unit. I was supposed to go to Korea, and my unit was set to deployment because I had mono. I had to stay behind.

[A]

Oh, they left without you?

[B]

Yeah. So my whole unit went to Korea while I stayed in. In Okinawa. And there were some other guys that stayed back as well, so I wasn't okay by myself. But.

[A]

But then after that point, you had no. No physical, like, any like. Like pins and needles, nothing like that that even gave you, like, Did I like, was I working out too hard? Did I pinch a nerve? There was nothing like that. So you're in the Marine Corps now. You're. You're in Japan, having fun in Japan, and. And then you get. So you come out and now you're living life in Ohio. I don't know why, but you were in Ohio.

[B]

So I got, I got out in 93 and I stayed in North Carolina for a couple years. And then a buddy of mine that I was in the Marines with, he was from Ohio and he was living in Columbus. He got out same time I did, and he's like, hey, I need a golfing buddy. Why don't you move to Columbus? So I ended up moving to Columbus and I spent like 20 years, over 20 years in Columbus.

[A]

Wow. Very. Now you. You're not a Buckeye though, right?

[B]

No, not really. Because I was when I was there.

[A]

Because we had to end this interview right now right here. It had to be done over. I too, I bleed blue. I can't do buckeye stuff. So. So you're in Columbus and then you. When did you come back here? When did you come back to Michigan?

[B]

So in 2019, during the pandemic, I had lost my job. I was working for McGraw Hill Education and I'm an IT guy, so I do computer stuff and.

[A]

Right.

[B]

They decided to close the office in Columbus and send everybody home. And because I was an on site person that they decided to cut all the IT. On site IT staff. So I lost my job and my. At the time, my Ms. Was getting pretty bad.

[A]

So you already were diagnosed. You were diagnosed. I'm sorry, let's go back. You were diagnosed in what year?

[B]

2014.

[A]

2014. Were you put on a medication right away? Were you on a dmt?

[B]

Yeah, they put me on tecfidera, which was a pill I took twice a day.

[A]

How did you do on that?

[B]

You know, I didn't really. I was kind of in denial when I first got diagnosed. Sure it was something that I didn't want to accept.

[A]

Right. I'm sure being a Marine as well, it's like, wait, what? This isn't. We still get this. What is this?

[B]

Yeah. And before, right before I got diagnosed, it took them like maybe six months to a year to get diagnosed because I had. I started having some weird symptoms. Like whenever I got hot, my, like I would get weaker in my leg, my right leg. And so I started going to the VA to find out what was going on, and they ended up sending me to Ohio State to see An Ms. Specialist. Because the VA in Columbus didn't have an Ms. Specialist. So.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

I went to Ohio State and they. They're the ones that diagnosed me after an mri and.

[A]

Okay. Did you have a spinal tap?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Those are fun, right? No, wait, something happened. You had said in your spinal tap as well.

[B]

Yeah, so I had the VA did a spinal tap.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And it was horrible. Like I.

[A]

Well, you can you allowed to say that or do you get. Can you say the VA did something bad?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Yeah, they don't. Well, some of the people over there don't like me too much, but we'll.

[A]

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[B]

Yeah, I did have a. Yeah, it did bother my stomach a lot. And when I first got diagnosed, I. Like I said, I was kind of in denial.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And so I was looking at, you know, I found Dr. Terry Walls. I found her. You know her? She did a. A TED talk.

[A]

Sure.

[B]

Multiple sclerosis. And after that I started researching things and I got her book and. And a lot of the things I read in that made. Made a lot of sense because.

[A]

Did you go right to Google the thing you're not supposed to do? Did you like Google multiple sclerosis? What are the signs? How long do I have to live?

[B]

Yeah. And the other thing I did was I went on YouTube and I watched other people with Ms. Describe their medication experience.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And that just like. That was horrible. Like people.

[A]

That's probably more confusing.

[B]

Yeah. Just the people's react. I'm Like, God, I don't want to live like that. And so I started doing research on other alternative things like fasting, juicing. And so when I got diagnosed, I probably weighed almost 300 pounds, probably 298 or something like that.

[A]

And wait, you came out of the Marine Corps? How long did that take you to put that kind of weight on?

[B]

Oh, so I got out of the marine Corps in 93.

[A]

Sorry.

[B]

Yeah. By 2014. And. And that's when I started having issues. I thought me, I was like, well, man, it's, you know, I. I'm probably just out of shape. So I started going to the gym, and I noticed that by the time I got done at the gym, I was kind of like limping out of the gym. Yeah.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And I would sit in my car for 10 minutes and. And then I'd be okay.

[A]

So your biggest one was the leg or instill?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Or is okay?

[B]

Yeah, my, My, my right leg is still. Yeah, it's a lot better than it was.

[A]

Yeah. And that has to be scary as well. When you're diagnosed, your legs not working, you're like, what is this? Then? How far is it going to go? What is this going to look like? Because so far, this sucks. So that's a scary thing. And, and I always think you have, like, you know, there's. There's two kinds of people that when we're diagnosed, we either go in denial, and I was with you and I did that kind of same thing, but I would just go running and think, you know what? I'm just going to run this disease out because it just didn't make sense. And I refused to believe that I was going to deal with this for the rest of my life. So in your denial time, you kind of, then you kind of came to, obviously we all do an acceptance that this, this is what it is. It's not the end of the world. We still have a full life we can live. And there are things that. That will change for sure, but it is that acceptance. And then you can tell me if I'm wrong for you. But I've always found that it's not just a one and done of the acceptance and the grieving part, because through the years we have different things that change with our multiple sclerosis. So then you grieve this thing, like, how did this happen now? I don't want to lose this. So there are times I think that we grieve throughout our life with multiple sclerosis.

[B]

And at the same time, I remember it was the summertime, and I was playing. One of my neighbors had asked me if I wanted to play softball on the neighborhood team. And I was like, yeah. And that's when I really noticed, like, running bases was really, like, awkward. And, yeah, I was very uncoordinated. I'm like, this is not how I used to be. What's going on? And then I got optic neuritis.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And they put me on intravenous steroids for that. And that. That seemed to restore my eyesight. I feel like my. My left eye is still a little weak, but.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

But for the most part, restored it back to normal. So now the other thing I had was I. I've had Bell's palsy twice, and that was way before my diagnosis. Now, I think they say that those palsy is not associated with ms, but.

[A]

They also say it's not hereditary. But I've got my grandfather, my aunt on the same side, and my son. So I'm like, okay. And I just met someone today that has it. She has three people in her family. And so we meet that all the time. You know, it's like, okay. They say it's not hereditary, but. So we'll see. Like, I. I'm not actually sure if that. If that does do, I'd have to look that up. It'll be part of my homework to see if that has anything to do or can exacerbate the Ms. So you were having that, and then. So, you know, you're out of the Marie. So you came here, or we went. And we're fast forwarding to you coming here to Michigan. And did you come for a specific job that you had, or you just came because you needed to have family around?

[B]

Yeah. So my concern in Ohio was my Ms. Was getting worse. I was having difficulties walking. I was using a cane and a walker, and it just got really hard. You know, I was living in Ohio, and yeah, it was.

[A]

Just wants to live in Ohio, right?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

No, all people in Ohio don't throw me hate mail. I love Ohio, just not the Buckeyes.

[B]

But it just got more difficult and. And I'd always wanted to move back to Michigan, but I never did because of my daughter. You know, she was. She was from Ohio, and, you know, she didn't want to leave. And then one day she was just like, hey, why don't we move to Michigan to be closer to, you know, your family? I'm like, or our family. I was like, that's a great idea.

[A]

Wish I would have thought of that.

[B]

Yeah. So. And so in 2019, you know, I had lost my job, and I was like, well, this is a perfect time to move then.

[A]

Sure.

[B]

So I ended up moving back, and I. I did land a job at McLaren Hospital before I moved. So I was in touch with them and the company I worked for in Ohio, they're a nationwide company, so I could pretty much go anywhere if there was a opportunity available. So ended up going to work for McLaren.

[A]

I'm going to stop and tell Jacob, keep your voice up that loud.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Because it's going down. And then just keep it up loud.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

All right, Jacob. I'll. It's at. Let's see. I don't know, but it's just. I will try to let you know. Okay.

[B]

Okay. So I was working at McLaren, and McLaren, it just got so difficult. Like, I, you know, I was a team lead, so I was in charge of four techs.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And, you know, I'd have meetings all over the hospital all the time, and it was just. It was just horrible. And then I started having bladder issues.

[A]

Okay. So it just was not working.

[B]

Yeah. So I, you know, I decided to start looking for a remote job. Maybe I could find a remote job. And. And I found this company. It's a medical company that was based in Boston. They were hiring. All their. All their people are remote.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And so I got in touch with them, had a couple interviews there, and then they. They offered me a job. And it. It's been such a blessing. I mean, I can't even express how great this job is.

[A]

You've still been able to work remote since then? They've not. It's not one of those things that we hear people say now that I was hired in remote. And then they. Then all of a sudden, they wanted me to come in. So. It's nothing like that.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah. My. Our whole team is remote, so.

[A]

Oh, that's awesome. That's so much.

[B]

It's really good. And I mean, it's probably the best job. The best IT job I've ever had in my life.

[A]

Wow. That's really great.

[B]

Yeah. So I've been working for them for almost four years now.

[A]

Okay. And that's so hopeful because some, you know, so many of the. The autoimmune people and the just Ms. Patients in general that I interview, that's probably when it becomes the most difficult, when you have to give up your work, and then you're thinking, okay, well, now what, do I just sit around and. And, you know, watch soap operas, probably you were tempted for that, right? So it's like, you know, that feeling of what, what next? And trying to find something that is remote or something that we can do that's not so taxing. So that's awesome that you were able to find that and be here with family. And your daughter was happy she moved to Michigan or was she like, why are we here?

[B]

She had a real difficult time in the beginning because she was very social in Ohio. She had lots of friends. She moved here and, you know, didn't know anybody. It was during the pandemic, so kids.

[A]

Weren'T going to school. Right.

[B]

It was just awful for her. But, yeah, but she's doing better now.

[A]

Good. Probably would have been worse in Ohio with nobody. At least you had your family that you. So that. That's good. So then one of the things that I really. We've got to meet and talk before we were doing the podcast is I really respected the fact and why I really wanted to interview. Obviously you're a Marine and thank you for your service, but I really appreciated the things that you've done as a Marine after. As a vet and really trying to, like, in back of you, you've got a bike that specifically is something that you really had to fight for. And it's called a myocycho. And it is so confusing to me because I was able to. To be there when you had your ride and you had the instructor and talk to me about. Talk to us about what that is, how it helps Ms. And why you had to battle the VA so much to get something that it makes so much sense for you to have.

[B]

So what happened is when I moved to Michigan, I wanted to try to stay active. So my dad, I would go biking with my dad and my brother.

[A]

And.

[B]

I was having a really hard time with biking, like getting. I mean, I would do all working on a flat surface, but if it was a hill or anything, I would have issues with my legs. So.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

I had a really bad fall a few summers ago.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And I was basically, we were. I was riding back up to the parking lot and there's this big hill that goes up into the parking lot. And right when I hit that hill, my leg just gave out and I knew I was gonna fall. So, yeah, I tried to dive into the grass and started landing on the cement. So I dove off the bike and landed on the grass, and the grass was wet, so I just kind of my arms out, I slipped, and I just basically belly flopped right off the ground.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And I had to go to the emergency room. Because I cracked a rib or something.

[A]

Oh, geez.

[B]

I was. I was awful. But so my dad says, well, there's got to be some kind of device that you can use while you're riding your bike. And.

[A]

Right.

[B]

So I just. So I just googled bike for Ms. And I saw this. I came across this mile cycle thing, and it's basically an functional electric stimulation device.

[A]

And so you've got the. It's wrapped around your legs. Right. So you've got different. Explain what. How it.

[B]

What are.

[A]

Because I don't really understand what's on your legs. What are those?

[B]

So it uses electric stimulation. So you put these electrodes all over your legs. So there's certain spots that you put them for, like drop foot and. Okay, so I have what, two, four, six, eight. I have eight on each leg and then two or four on my glutes.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

So there's a lot of electricity to deal with.

[A]

Right. So you have to have those all up before you ride. Connect all those and you.

[B]

And then you connect to it. Yep. You have a little screen that tells you your. Your basically gives you a little, like, diagram of your output and everything.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

But the bike, the bike moves itself. Like, if you weren't. If you weren't doing anything, your. Your legs would still move.

[A]

Okay. But that's not the idea you want to try to push. Can you add the resistance?

[B]

You can, you can adjust the intensity? Yes.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

So you can. You can lower. Higher or lower the intensity for, you know, the electrodes.

[A]

Yeah. And I think that's important to know that you don't have to go as. As hard. And you also can track. Like, if I'm training someone, I'm going to be tracking their. Their progress. Right. So if they use one weight, you know, the last month, and then all of a sudden I'm seeing them go up into a heavier weight. So with a bike, you're able to then as well, same thing. You're able to see your. Your progress and. Okay. Wow. I'm able to now turn this up a little bit and have more resistance. And it can be a little bit harder the stronger that your legs are getting cracked.

[B]

Yep. And it's really amazing because. Helps with your spasticity.

[A]

It.

[B]

It strengthens your legs, it helps with blood flow. I mean, yes, there's multiple advantages to it. So.

[A]

Yeah. And it's movement, which is so crucial for us. And that was the way that you could have movement without having to stand up and, and walk around and. And jog, because that wasn't Open to you. It wasn't available, so you needed something that you could be seated with movement. And so you find this. Now fast forward to. You're like, all right, so how. How do I get that? How did you even. How did you what? Even I would see that and think, okay, shoot, I don't think I have enough money for this. Do they have, like, a payment plan of $30 a month? So, yeah.

[B]

So since. Since I'm a veteran, I always call the company to see if they offer like a veteran discount or something like that. So I reached out to the company. It's called Myelin.

[A]

And so it's a mile cycle. And the company is called what?

[B]

Myelin.

[A]

Myelin. Okay, so don't stop your car and write it down. It'll be at the bottom of the show notes. So. So you contacted them?

[B]

Yeah, I called the company and I spoke to one of their reps and. And I mentioned I was a veteran. She's like, oh, if you're a veteran, she's like, I'll put you in contact with the local VA rep that we have and you can just request it through your va. She's like, we. We supply this to veterans all over the country.

[A]

So they supply, like, the bike in general with nothing. You don't have to pay for it. It's just. That's good. Well, I mean, you had to battle it, but yeah, I fought.

[B]

I had to fight for a couple years for it.

[A]

So why. When you first. When you first tried, you did what she said, you called and thinking, this is awesome. I'm going to get this bike and this is going to help me. And what was their response?

[B]

So I talked. They put me in touch with the local rep. So I called her and she was like, yeah, she's like, just request it from your doctor at the va. They'll put in a consult with physical therapy and then they'll set everything up and I can get it. I was like, oh, okay. So I did that. And they put in a console with. With physical therapy. And I met with the physical therapist and explained what the. The myocycle was. And she was like, oh, yeah, that sounds like it would be really helpful to you, right? And she's like, I'll go ahead and put in the request and we'll see what, you know, what happens. So they put in the request, and I didn't hear anything for a while, and I kept going back and forth with them and. And then finally they told me that it was denied. And I was like, well, what was the reason for the denial. And the reason in the reason box, it said, we do not supply bicycles to veterans. So immediately I thought, okay, they don't even know what this is.

[A]

Right? Right. They didn't even really do the research on it. They didn't do anything.

[B]

Right. So I kept going back and forth and I found out that the head of physical medicine was the one denying it.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

So I confronted. I went to the VA and confronted her, okay. And got in a big, you know, argument with her because she was like, well, she's like, I see things like this all the time and that doesn't mean that it works. And I'm like, yeah, but this is. I said, I see things like that too, because I research everything.

[A]

Sure.

[B]

And I said, but this is an FDA approved device for people with multiple sclerosis.

[A]

Exactly. It's not something that you saw on Instagram. And it was like, hey, try this. This was something that, like, you said, FDA approved for, like, specific Ms.

[B]

Right. And it's. It's basically for people with Ms. If people with any kind of spinal cord injury, like stroke victims, get it, you.

[A]

Thank you so much for joining me for another episode of the Move it or Lose it podcast. It would mean the world to me if you subscribed and left a review. Remember, you can find me on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, and YouTube. New episodes of the Move it or Lose it podcast air every other Wednesday. If you have any suggestions for future guests or topics, please visit my [e-mail]. until next time.