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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Walk Event Ushers Local Singles Down The Aisle And Straight To The Altar

By Karen E. Butler, National MS Society, Vice President of Communications

ELLINGTON, Conn. When Robyn Iserman agreed last spring to step out in the fight against multiple sclerosis (MS), little did she know she’d be taking a very different walk just a few months later a stroll of the chapel kind.

            In 2005, Iserman found herself in her 30s and still single albeit by choice. She had seen too many marriages dissolve, most commonly because of declarations of incompatibility or irreconcilable differences. As a result, Iserman was committed to patiently waiting for Mr. Right.

One afternoon, however, in early April of that same year, Iserman, her arm in a cast from a recent accident she experienced while hiking, popped into an Ellington, Conn., convenience store. As she entered, she was greeted by a strapping young man standing behind the counter with his head strangely bandaged.

           Kissy Kissy “As soon as I saw him, I said, ‘Oh my goodness, Sweetie, what happened to you?’” said Iserman with a giggle, as she remembered the instant attraction she experienced.

“What happened to you?” retorted Eubank, with a mischievous grin and a wink.

            The pair exchanged stories. As it turned out, Neil Eubank had just undergone neurosurgery but was well on his way to recovery. After chatting a few minutes, Eubank, pointing to a half-filled jar of money sitting on a nearby counter, asked his new acquaintance if she’d like to donate a dollar to the National MS Society. The next thing she knew, she had not only put money in the jar but had also signed up to join Eubank’s MS walk team. The team would be participating the following weekend in annual MS Walk at Manchester Community College in Manchester, Conn. For the rest of the week, Iserman found herself reliving in her mind every minute of her chance meeting with Eubank and counting the days until the event.Sweep Couple

“Well, when I walked in that day, I saw a true ‘hottie,” recounted Iserman, her face flushing with color just at the memory. “He had the most beautiful eyes and longest eyelashes I had ever seen. I was awestruck instantly at how handsome he was. I was looking forward to supporting him in his cause.”

Eubank’s participation in the annual Greater Connecticut Chapter walk event began with his association with Connecticut Mutual Fire Rescue (CMFR), a band of volunteer firefighters from throughout the state, ready at a moment’s notice to protect and preserve their communities. In an effort to strengthen ties with communities in which they resided, Eubank, a firefighter for nine years, and the 30 others affiliated with CMFR decided to collectively support a worthy cause for them the MS Walk. Each firefighter formed a team and chose to participate at one of nine walk sites closest to his or her community. It wasn’t until after committing to the event, that many, like Eubank, learned they actually had family and friends battling multiple sclerosis, a sometimes unrecognizable but potentially debilitating disease affecting the central nervous system.

           Cute Couple Despite the monsoon-like downpours the day of the MS Walk, Iserman, Eubank, and the rest of Team CMFR  braved stinging beads of water, chatting all the while strolling through puddles and accumulating mud bogs even long past event’s end.

            “We hardly noticed that almost everyone had left,” recalled Iserman. “I just remember enjoying every minute of the walk the conversation, the camaraderie and most of all, Neil.”

            Surprisingly, the pair did not exchange numbers, and there was no mention of getting together again although Eubank did invite her to stop by the store sometime in the future.

For the next four months, Iserman’s mind was filled with thoughts of Eubank, their walk and a chemistry she just couldn’t deny.

“I was driving around on a hot day toward the end of July and found myself in the vicinity of the store,” said Iserman. “I had thought of him every day since the MS Walk. I had never had the courage to stop by the store before, but on this particular day, something seemed to literally pull me toward the shop.”

Unfortunately, Eubank wasn’t at the store that day.

“I left my cell phone number with clerk and asked him to give it to Neil,” said Iserman. “I also left heavy-hearted and empty, disappointed he wasn’t there and fearful I might never see him again.”

It wasn’t even 20 minutes, however, before Iserman received a phone call from Eubank. It was a Friday, and since they both had plans with friends that night, Eubank suggested she call him should the evening out with friends prove dull. A call followed later that night; one thing led to another and before they knew it, Eubank and Iserman were at a nearby lake laughing, talking and watching the sun rise from a horizon filled with brilliant bursts of color and perhaps even new beginnings.

“We finally said good-bye around seven that morning,” said Iserman. “But that night we did the same thing watched the sun come up again.”

From that moment on the couple was inseparable. One autumn day last fall, Eubank popped the question.

“I knew that very first day I stepped into the convenience store, I was going to marry him,” said Iserman, her eyes slightly misting. “We married eight months after he proposed this past Valentine’s Day  all because I signed up to walk with a gorgeous firefighter for a wonderful cause.”

Now nearly a year later from when they first met, the newlyweds will celebrate the anniversary by stepping out for this year’s MS walk event. Just as they did last year, the pair, now united, however, with vows of commitment, and Team CMFR will gather once again on Sunday, April 22, at Manchester Community College.

“This year, Team CMFR is dedicating its walk to my father’s best friend Howie Chiat,” said Eubank. “Howie lives in Jupiter, Fla. His MS has progressed to the place that he now must rely on a wheelchair for mobility. We are proud to be able to step out to support him.”

The National MS Society, Greater Connecticut Chapter expects the 2007 Travelers MS Walk, presented by UnitedHealth Group, to raise more than $1.3 million. Last year, the MS Walk raised approximately $1 million.

Funds raised through chapter events, such as the Travelers MS Walk, ensure ongoing scientific research to find a cure and provide for vital programs and services offered by the chapter to those in the state battling MS. Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system. The cause is unknown, and there currently is no cure. Symptoms can include, among other things, numbness and tingling in the extremities, difficulties with vision and speech, stiffness and, in some severe cases, total paralysis. The progress, severity, and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot be predicted. Approximately 6,000 residents statewide, including more than 1,400 Greater Harford residents, live with the baffling and unpredictable effects of multiple sclerosis. More than 400,000 Americans nationwide are diagnosed with MS.

To learn more about MS and its effects, please visit http://www.ctfightsms.org/. To learn more about Team CMFR or would like to contribute to the team, please contact Eubank at fire541truck@yahoo.com or call his wife, Robyn Iserman Eubank, at (860) 992-6601. The Travelers MS Walk will take place at eight sites across Connecticut on Sunday, April 22. Lunch is provided compliments of Subway and Coca-Cola. For more information or to register, please call (860) 714-WALK. To learn more, listen to 96.5 TIC and 97.7 WCTY Country favorites or watch WTNH News Channel 8 and My TV 9 and local Comcast Communications channels or visit http://www.ctfightsms.org/.

 4/4/07

Karen E. Butler
Vice President of Communications
Greater Connecticut Chapter
tel +1.860.714.2300
cell +1.860.997.4487
 
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