What is the MS Express?

The Team | Katie | Blu

It began as a joke between Carlo and his wife Angela. When bed-confined during his early years of Multiple Sclerosis, Carlo faithfully watched Katie Couric on the Today Show every morning.

He joked to Angela that he was going to visit Katie when he was stronger. Then, after an antique, electric wheelchair named Blu came into Carlo’s life, Angela playfully argued that Carlo was spending too much time with his new toy.

“I’m going to pack my bags to go see Katie Couric,” Carlo joked.

That’s when the dream began ~ the dream to travel across the country in an antique, electric wheelchair to share his spirit of hope with others.

As he thought through the idea, it grew until it became The MS Express, a six-month, 4,300 mile antique, electric wheelchair trek from Seattle to New York City with three-legged assistance dog Katie along for the ride. For a chronically ill man, this may seem like a daunting endeavor. For Carlo, though, it’s a more than just a trip – it’s a mission. A mission that Carlo hopes will improve the lives of others.

Video Contents: Musical slideshow of Carlo with friends and family. Music provided by his daughter, Anna Rose. Video provided by Ginger Pitner.

For the last five years, Carlo has been planning this incredible journey. Having to cancel it twice due to health issues, Carlo is determined to make it happen in 2006. Following an official send-off in Anacortes from Mayor Dean Maxwell and a “great escape” celebration in Burlington, Carlo will make his way to Safeco Field, home of the Seattle Mariners, for his first official stop along the MS Express. After throwing out the first pitch at the June 5, 2006 game against Kansas City, Carlo will begin his six-month journey, traveling along the northern United States to New York City. In addition to assistance dog Katie, Carlo will be accompanied by long-time friend Dan Townsend and his dog Emma in a 36 foot handicapped accessible RV, donated by Foley RV and Freedom Roads RV two of Carlo’s many generous sponsors.

As he travels across the country, Carlo will make keynote stops as the Ambassador for Accessibility Issues on behalf of the City of Anacortes (Washington). With the goal of raising awareness for handicapped accessibility, Carlo will make official visits with city officials, store owners, civic groups, community organizations, and others afflicted with chronic diseases or disabilities. He will gather information, ideas and design standards from ADA compliant communities to share with the City of Anacortes and its Barrier Busters committee. In addition, this information will be available free of charge to interested individuals, organizations and communities at The Spirit of Hope Foundation’s sister site Able Neighbor.

“There’s a phrase that goes like this, ‘Count the day lost upon the setting sun that sees not a worthy deed done,’” Carlo said. “I’m just trying to do a good deed. That’s all.”

After dozens of stops and raising an estimated $1 million for MS research, Carlo will conclude his trip in New York City where he has promised to treat Angela to dinner at the finest Italian restaurant he can find.

“It’s the journey, not the destination,” Carlo said of his cross-country trek. “My goal is to bring awareness to people, to help those with MS, and to share my spirit of hope.”