A Walking Success Story
One of Active SWV’s Community Captains, Levi Moore, has had great success from starting simple with walking to improve his health and quality of life. The mysterious disease that crippled Levi Moore didn’t strike overnight. It took its own painful time, flaring and abating for a decade before destroying his mobility. Struggling between bed and wheelchair, he became a prisoner in his home, yearning to explore the outside world he’d taken for granted.
It seemed no one could help. Often by the time doctors could arrange tests, the symptoms had disappeared, leaving some to suggest the ailment was psychosomatic. Almost a year and a half after climbing into a wheelchair, however, the right doctor performed the right test at the right time and discovered exceptionally high levels of uric acid in his blood. The diagnosis: gout — systemic gout, attacking almost every joint in his body.
Throughout his recovery he has championed the cause of walking and hiking for the sake of personal fulfillment, and nearly each day he employs social media to broadcast positive messages and encourage others to find their own paths. Over the last years he also joined the efforts of Active SWV as a Community Captain, guiding walks and hikes, and he recently accepted the invitation to become a member of the institution’s board, helping guide its efforts to encourage residents of southern West Virginia to enjoy active lifestyles.
Levi’s story is an inspirational one. It is also one that many West Virginians can connect with. The health crisis that WV is facing inhibits job growth and can have an impact on the economy. Many residents are unable to work due to medical condition, but Levi is proof that with determination and perseverance that does not have to be the case. Starting small with in his local community Levi has walked his way into being employed by a local outdoor outfitter as a Professional guide leading hike thorough the beautiful WV forests. -David Sibray with WV Explore.
