BY BRIDGET QUINN
For most people, pushing their way through a 600-yard swim, 13-mile bike ride and 3.1-mile run seems impossible. Now imagine trying to do even part of that while battling a life-threatening disease.
Ole Miss Aquatics Assistant Director Mark Garneau is not only known by students and employees around the Turner Center for his funny charismatic personality, but for his participation in the Ole Miss Rebelman Triathlon for the first time since he was diagnosed with MS seven years ago.
Multiple sclerosis, also known as MS, is an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and central nervous system. The most popular and noticeable symptoms include numbness in the limbs, paralysis of the body or loss of vision. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society there is no known cure for MS.
Garneau, a father of four and husband of 15 years, grew up in Boston and competed as a varsity swimmer throughout high school. Along with competing in college and graduate school, he competed in the Bud Light Series, training with professionals and entering numerous races throughout his lifetime.
“I have always had a passion for long distance swimming and when it got taken away from me I learned to appreciate what I have and I gained a greater outlook on life,” Garneau said.
Before Garneau was diagnosed he felt fatigue, a sense of dizziness and blurred vision. Normal tasks like walking up a flight of stairs became difficult, and he had unexpectedly lost 30 pounds. A few months later he lost movement in his legs and muscle spasms occurred.
“My wife was pregnant at the time and it was tough,” Garneu said. “Neither of us were able to move around and care for our other children.”
Garneau said that when first diagnosed, it was a sense of relief because he finally knew what the problem was and how to move forward from there. People often look at him differently, and he sees people whispering about him when he strolls by on his walker.
“Mark is a funny man who embraces his disease and turns his situation into a positive,” Turner Center employee Kaitlin Buchanan said. “He does not let MS overcome him and he has such a positive attitude about life.”
Garneu missed his everyday exercises so he did his own physical therapy at the pool and he taught himself how to swim again.
Garneau wished to participate in the Rebelman Triathlon last spring, but was struck with bad news when he relapsed with MS and was unable to swim.
Professor of park and recreation managament Kim Beason said he felt disappointed for Garneau after he put in so much time and effort to prepare.
“Mark was out every day swimming laps in the Turner Center pool every day,” Beason said. “It was tough seeing how hard he worked at it and it got taken away from him again.”
Garneau did not give up, however, and returned to his training this year. He cited the overwhelming amount of support from friends and family as motivation, but he doesn’t see himself as a hero.
“I am not saying I am brave, but I have so much support there is no time for depression,” Garneau said.
Garneau said the fear he had the night before the triathlon was unreal. He almost withdrew due to fear and anxiety of participating for the first time. He did not know how people were going to look at him; he’d gone from a varsity swimmer to needing help getting into the pool and swimming with a buoy.
But he knew there was no looking back and that he had to do this. As he jumped in the pool and began the race, he felt an adrenaline rush of accomplishment.
“There was no better feeling than looking up throughout the swim and seeing my wife and four kids cheer me on — that was my proudest moment,” Garneau said.
Garneau only participated in the swim section of the triathlon because his legs are not mobile enough to ride a bike or run. Throughout the race, Garneau could feel his timer come off of his wrist, but that did not stop him. When Garneau finished the race, he got out of the pool with the biggest smile, tears streaming down his face as his family ran over to him.
“I finally made myself participate; I was not going to quit now,” Garneau said. “I had the emotions I had when I used to swim. I even lapped people. It made me feel normal again, and I could catch up with everybody else.”
Garneau hopes to participate in the Rebelman Triathlon again next year, and plans to buy a bike with training wheels to prepare for the cycling section.
