6 SAHealth.com KEEPINGWELL —WINTER 2023 Methodist Healthcare introduces the newest San Antonio Spurs fans, babies born the first week of basketball season. Spurs Sports & Entertainment gave the babies their first set of sports gear. For the past seven seasons, Methodist Healthcare has been the official healthcare partner of the San Antonio Spurs and San Antonio FC. The partnership helps educate the community on the importance of health and wellness. Methodist Healthcare partnered with the Spurs during the pandemic to highlight the importance of getting the COVID-19 vaccine to help end the pandemic. When Joni Roquet was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), she was initially depressed and worried she would end up in a wheelchair. A monitor tech at Methodist Hospital | Atascosa, Joni first began having symptoms such as back issues in 2017. Then, at the height of COVID-19, she knew something was seriously wrong when she struggled to get out of her chair, using her desk for assistance. Pain radiated down her back, and she swayed when she walked. Testing revealed that Joni wasn’t just suffering from a bad back; she had multiple sclerosis. Working with her doctor, she chose daily medication to eliminate back issues and pains. Though she was never really into exercise, she knew that exercise would help her stay mobile. Then one day, while at work, Joni saw an advertisement asking employees to participate in the Bike MS: Valero Ride to the River, a two-day bike ride from San Antonio to New Braunfels. Joni thought this would be an excellent opportunity to be more active in combating her symptoms and raise awareness for MS herself, so she joined the MH vs. MS team, a partnership between the Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., and Methodist Healthcare. She then purchased a Rad Rover bike, an electric bike for people needing assistance. Joni would ride after work and on her days off, working up to 35 miles a day. Riding her bike helped her sleep, made her feel better, and gave her a sense of accomplishment that was mentally rewarding. The ride taught Joni a lot. “Listen to your body,” she said. “Don’t let people tell you it’s nothing until it can be proved. Also, don’t let the diagnosis define you. It is very easy to be bummed out and worried as I was for the first few months. Just keep going.” Team MH vs. MS—comprising Joni and 54 other members, including staff and board members from Methodist Healthcare and Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.—raised more than $100,000 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. In addition to setting a fundraising record, the team also won an award for Best Jersey promoting the mission. Bike ride helps employee cope with MS Methodist Healthcare debuts Spurs’ littlest starting lineup I am proud to work for a hospital that supports MS. They matched my donations, and their support made me feel grateful to work for an employer who truly cares about people.” “ Team MH vs. MS Joni Roquet
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