Most of the time, Dr. Marshall Dent takes care of women because his specialty is gynecology and obstetrics, but Oct. 3-4, he’s going to be riding for all he’s worth for Kevin Hardee in the Multiple Sclerosis Biketober Challenge in Greenville.
Dent, 48, delivered Hardee’s youngest child. Hardee and his family live in Galivants Ferry.
Hardee, 37, was diagnosed with MS in 2000.
“I went completely numb on my right side,” he said. “I thought I had pulled a nerve in my back.”
The challenge Dent is taking on is a two-day, 150-mile bike ride through hilly terrain. Proceeds from the event go for research to find a cure for this “terrible and debilitating disease,” he said.
“I can hardly imagine the mental anguish to wake up one day and to know your bodily functions are deteriorating, some times at a rapid pace,” Dent said. “The ability to get out of bed and do simple tasks that we take for granted every day — such as putting on our shoes or brushing our hair — becomes a monumental task for the person with multiple sclerosis.
“I have accepted this challenge because I know my body will respond to the challenge, so I do it for those who can’t.”
Dent said he has been “especially moved” by Hardee’s plight. Hardee is a father of three. His children are Chelsea, 18, Devin, 15, and Owen, 9.
“Kevin was once a member of a gospel quartet (The Rivertown Boys Gospel Quartet of Conway), but now he’s unable to sing with the group,” Dent said. “He is unable to support his family as this disease slowly robs his body.”
Dent said Hardee is an inspiration to him because of his faith in God.
“Kevin never complains and always has a smile on his face,” he said. “I have the privilege of knowing him through his wife, Jill, and the birth of their son Owen.
“This is very much a personal challenge for me. I know that as the miles add up, I will surely experience some pain, but I know it will pale in comparison to what Kevin must endure every day.”
Dent said Hardee is a true hero.
“I hope you will take the time to open your heart and wallet to support this worthy cause so that people like Kevin have the promise of a cure,” Dent said.
Asked how he’s been coping with MS, Hardee sighed and said, “I guess you could say with the Lord’s help, as good as I can.”
And when he was informed that Dent had called him an inspiration, he said, “I have done the best I could. It will shock a lot of people when they see me because I look fine. But I experience a lot of pain. It’s more nerve pain than anything else.”
Those who would like to donate to the Multiple Sclerosis Biketober Challenge can make checks payable to Multiple Sclerosis and mail them to 1308 Lazar Place, Florence, SC 29501, or go online to Bike MS at
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/get-involved/events/bike-ms/index.aspx and make a donation.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)