Steve McLeod, a sarc warrior, leader of Team Aussie, and supporter of FSR, was recently featured in the Courier Mail, a daily newspaper in his hometown of Brisbane, Australia. Steve has neurosarcoidosis; he has lost his hearing and is unable to maintain his balance without the help of forearm crutches or a wheelchair. Despite the physical toll the disease has taken on him, Steve refuses to be a victim. He maintains a positive outlook, leading a normal life filled with friends, family and work. Steve also used to be a multi-sport athlete, playing rugby league and basketball growing up. He hasn’t let sarc interfere with his passion for sports: he golfs regularly with friends, he has season tickets to the Brisbane Bullets (the National Basketball League team Steve played for in the 90’s), and he coaches his son’s basketball team.
“It hit me when I was 37 and turned my life upside down,’’ he said. “I am 100 per cent deaf and the sarcoidosis has taken my vestibular system, which means I have no balance. We are constantly trying to keep the sarcoidosis at bay”
As if the story of Steve overcoming neurosarcoidosis in his daily life wasn’t inspiring enough, he’s also a dedicate supporter of FSR Team KISS Walks. In 2015, Steve organized a walk in Brisbane with over 150 attendees. Leveraging the support of friends, family, and his community, he raised over $15,000 for sarcoidosis research! Despite health challenges which prevented him from participating last year, he’s jumping into 2017 with the same determination. Please consider joining him at his event in Brisbane or letting Steve inspire to to bring a Team KISS Walk to your own hometown. Together, we are making strides for better support for sarcoidosis patients worldwide, more research, and ultimately a cure for this disease. Go Team KISS and go Team Aussie!
Read Steve’s feature in the Courier Mail, or if you’re feeling inspired to get involved, join the movement and register for a KISS event today!