The First Step

by Tabitha Williams

When people ask me what I’m interested in, or what my hobby is, I usually say traveling and Disney. I haven’t really traveled all that far from my home but I can talk your ears off about Disney. I have never really liked running and never, ever considered a marathon. So to be completely honest, I grin when I think about how I ended up on Team AllEars.

I absolutely love AllEarsnet.com so I listen to the online shows whenever I can.
I hadn’t heard much about TeamAllEars, but I knew of Deb Wills’ fight with breast cancer and that she raised money for the AvonWalk.

I signed on to the TeamAllEars Live show in April. With my daughter away at college and my husband at work, that night I was home alone with my teenage son. We usually would have a TV show on at this time, but knowing my addiction with all things Disney, he gave up on me that evening so I could listen in on the show.

Fifteen minutes into the show I was taken…totally engulfed! These people were so dedicated! The longer I listened the more I felt like… well, I still can’t describe what I was feeling. I signed into the chat room and asked a few questions; things to me that were kind of silly that I was to embarrassed to call in and ask. Immediately people (not just one, but two or three) answered. I even had someone ask where I lived and before the show was over they had looked up and told me a good place to go shoe shopping.
Ten minutes before the show was over I signed up for Team AllEars.

Am I the only one to get all excited after signing up? My name was called out on the show and everyone on the chat room posted a welcome! I was giggling so hard that my son came over to the computer to see what was going on. He was really happy for me too! A little shocked perhaps, but he even agreed to help get me off the sofa and out the door!

Wow, I signed up to walk in a WDW race.

I was so excited about being a part of something, it never really occurred to me: “Um? Hey, you’ve never run a race, let alone run before!” As I started reading about group members on the Team page, intimidation set in. The more I read about everyone and their experience, the more I felt like I was “out of my league.” My daughter caught me at a low moment one evening, I told her that maybe I should just back out, I wasn’t cut out for this. She just hugged me and said, “Oh, yes you can, there are people counting one you. And I’ll be there with you!”

So here I am a new member of Team AllEars! Maybe, I could help. Yes, I can make a difference; every little bit makes a difference.