Michael Paston is more comfortable riding a bike than walking.
That's no exaggeration on the local cyclist's part.
"I literally can't run two steps," said Paston, a paramedic who is special operations coordinator for AeroCare Medical Transport.
He's also living with multiple sclerosis (MS) - "living" being the operative word
In fact, he'll be among the participants in next month's Bike MS: The Mother Road Ride, one day of which offers 42-, 82- and 100-mile routes, depending on the cyclist's skill levels. Money raised from cyclists' fundraising pledges will benefit Oklahomans living with or affected by MS.
Like Paston, who wore his "I have MS. This is why I ride" cycling top the afternoon we met him at River Parks. He was airing the tires on his Trek 5200 USPS edition when we arrived. A small American flag, slightly frayed on the ends from several years of flying behind Paston, is secured to the back of his bike seat.
"Today, I'll do 40 (miles)," he said. Then, he'd probably meet a friend later and ride more.
As most folks did, he learned to ride a bike as a kid, "probably 1964-ish," speculated the Cleveland, Ohio, native who grew up in Vestal, N.Y. He didn't move here until 1981.
By 1986, he started experiencing the first signs of MS - specifically Lhermitte's sign, a brief, stabbing, electric-shock-like sensation that runs from the back of the head down the spine, brought on by bending the neck forward, according to information from the MS Society.
When a doctor broke the news, the first words out of Paston's mouth were, "I want to be involved in research." He was a little afraid, but he needed to learn more to understand the disease.
"I wanted to control it and not let it control me," he said.
In the late '90s, he participated in a research project in Houston. Before then, he would stay fatigued, and recovery was long and difficult. Since being administered a vaccine during the project, he's only fatigued when he pushes himself too hard.
Paston wasn't biking, though - hadn't even touched a bike since 1973. But, in the summer of 2006, a college friend was going out for a jog, and Paston said he wasn't able.
The friend suggested riding a bike and even gave Paston his.
"I got on and fell in love," he said. "Once I learned how comfortable on the bike I was, much more comfortable than walking, it opened up the ability to get out and exercise again."
The year his friend gave him that bike, Paston participated in his first Bike MS. Now, he's on the committee, helping however he can.
"It's a fun, well-supported ride with frequent rest stops and, if needed, help and ride assistance," he explained of the event. "It is not a race. It is for a good cause to assist in supporting a resolution, cure to MS."
Beyond Bike MS, Paston rides several times a week, at least 20-30 miles each.
"The Creek trail and Riverside are good rides," he said. "I enjoy new rides I've never been on the most."
Last month, he rode a three-day ride in Colorado, "probably the best I've been on."
Paston even rides to and from work sometimes, from south Broken Arrow to the airport, 20 miles one way.
People seem surprised he has MS.
"I don't look sick," Paston said. He does have a limp, called ataxia, but he looks healthy.
"If they ask, I tell them I have MS," he said. "Not ashamed. I didn't cause it, and I'm not going to let it control me."
For more about MS or Bike MS, visit
tulsaworld.com/ms
A celebration of Booker T. Washington High School's 100th anniversary, this soiree will feature Booker T. grad, Jazz Hall of Fame inductee and blues treasure Ray D. Rowe, as well as his band. Other highlights include popular DJ Chris Terrell, who will spin some of your favorite party tunes. Plus, Booker T. Hall of Fame inductee Charles "Chuck" Cissel will serve as master of ceremonies.
Proceeds benefit the Booker T. scholarship fund.
Event details: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, Cox Business Center, 100 Civic Center
Attire: semi-formal (Go with a dark suit and cool tie, guys. Ladies, pull out your favorite cocktail dress - and accessorize with orange, of course.)
Tickets: $25 individual, $45 couple, $225 table of 10; pick up at Greenwood Cultural Center, 322 N. Greenwood Ave.
For more: 918-596-1020
This Western-themed affair features a delicious steak dinner, a raffle ticket giveaway for a $2,500 Utica Square gift card, live music by The Tulsa Playboys, and a live and silent auction. Among the biddable treats are tickets for four to the OU/Notre Dame football game, complete with private plane transportation; one-week stays at vacation homes in New Mexico, Colorado and Texas; and a dinner for 12 cooked and served by local Episcopalian priests. Another highlight is the General Store, where you can shop items made by Saint Simeon's residents.
Proceeds benefit Saint Simeon's Foundation, with donations funding the senior residential community's capital expenses.
Event details: 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, Central Park Hall, Expo Square, 4145 E. 21st St.
Attire: casual/Western wear (If you have a cool cowboy hat, this would be a perfect time to dust if off. Ditto for boots.)
Sponsors: Underwriting and Presenting - H.A. and Mary K. Chapman Charitable Trust, Phyllis N. and George Dotson, Scott and Sarah Dotson Mathews, Ralph and Frances McGill Foundation, Sherman E. Smith Family Foundation, Phyllis and Steve Anderson, Pat and Malcolm Deisenroth, George B. Kaiser Family Foundation
Tickets: $75; sponsorships $500-$50,000 (918-794-1977)
For more: tulsaworld.com/saintsimeons
Billed as "the only Concours in the world benefitting all people with diabetes," this awesome celebration of automobiles provides the perfect opportunity to view prestigious classic, antique and exotic cars. This year's honoree is David Sheehan, with other special guests including Barry Meguiar of "Car Crazy TV," Indy 500 driver Charlie Kimball and "MuscleCar" host Steve Mank. Expect champagne and a sumptuous buffet by Southern Hills' executive chef, Jonathan Moosmiller, as well as a live auction and voting for People's Choice Award for favorite car.
Proceeds benefit the American Diabetes Association.
Event details: 4-7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29, Southern Hills Country Club, 2636 E. 61st St.
Attire: Pebble Beach casual (Early-fall cocktail dresses; or channel Matteo Manassero in "Corduroy Greens" pants and a polo by Ralph Lauren's RLX Golf.)
Sponsors: MidFirst Bank; David Sheehan, Sheehan Pipe Line Construction; Mollie Williford; Alliance Resource Partners L.P.; CloseBend Inc.; Leigh and John Reaves, Asphalt and Fuel Supply; Bill and Becky Warnock; Saint Francis Health System; Kathy Taylor and Bill Lobeck; John and Sarah Graves, Cyclonic Valve Co. Inc.
Sponsorships: $500-$50,000 (Joyce Jochim, 918-492-3839 ext. 6041,
jjochim@diabetes.org)
Vehicle entry application: Ronnie Watson, 918-743-6363,
watsonlewisave@aol.com
For more: tulsaworld.com/concourscure2013
Presented by Sustainable Tulsa and the Rotary Club of Southside Tulsa, this fourth annual event recognizing Oklahoma companies, organizations and individuals who take a balanced approach to fulfilling their missions by focusing on people, profit and planet. The night kicks off with a cocktail reception, followed by dinner and the ceremony, which will announce four awards: Quality of Life for All, Responsible Economic Growth, Environmental Stewardship and, of course, The Henry Bellmon.
Proceeds will fund efforts to help school districts navigate the school bus conversion process from diesel fuel to compressed natural gas.
Event details: 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, Cox Convention Center, 100 Civic Center
Attire: business attire (Self-explanatory - unless your business permits jeans, which go against the awards gala grain, sorry.)
Sponsors: Apache Corp., Arvest Bank, Chesapeake Energy, Covanta Energy, KOKI-Fox 23, Hahn Appliance, The Journal Record, Lamar Outdoor Advertising, PSO, Tulsa Gas Technologies
Tickets: $150; sponsorships $2,500-$20,000
For more: Corey Williams, 918-808-6576;
tulsaworld.com/bellmonawards
Bike MS: The Mother Road Ride 2013
"Riding for those who can't" is the mantra of this annual two-day cycling event - a round-trip route through the byways and highways of Oklahoma. A fully supported ride, it will feature stops every 10-12 miles, support and gear vehicles along the way and ride marshals. This year, Bike MS will offer three route options on Day 1: a 42-, 82- and 100-mile route, so there's something for every skill level.
Proceeds benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, including Oklahomans living with or affected by MS.
Event details: Saturday, Sept. 21, and Sunday, Sept. 22. - start and finish at Agri Civic Center, 1179 W. 15th St., Chandler
Attire: All participants required to wear a bike helmet. Otherwise, padded shorts, sunscreen and full water bottle are highly recommended.
Sponsors: Presenting - Sam's Club; Presenting Media - KTUL, channel 8; Presenting Vehicle - Toyota
Registration: All cyclists required to commit to minimum fundraising pledge of $300 (Ray Mack, 918-488-0882)
For more: tulsaworld.com/bikems2013
Jason Ashley Wright 918-581-8483
jason.wright@tulsaworld.com
Original Print Headline: Biking for a cure
People & Places
Any evening that starts with a red carpet and Spartan soldiers forming a sword-drawn canopy over your head deserves writing about.
Come December, Shannon West will be a college graduate.
