5 minute read
Unexpected Adventures
BY LINDSAY DUBE (GAMMA RHO, TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY)
If you had asked me what I would be doing my senior semester of undergrad, a 170-mile bikepacking trip over spring break would not have made the list of possibilities. But nevertheless, there I was – on a six-day trip on the Monumental Loop in southern New Mexico. In a class called Adventure Media at Texas Tech University, I was camping under the stars in the desert, riding long miles over mountain ranges, and documenting the entire experience through a camera lens to turn into a documentary.
Much like my adventure into bike-packing, finding the sisterhood of Alpha Chi Omega was not something that I ever pictured when I started college. No one in my family had ever been a part of Greek life, and none of my high school friends were planning on participating.
I came to Texas Tech in the fall of 2019 eager to soak up any experience I could. Heavily involved in yearbook and journalism in high school, I quickly found a job working for our college yearbook, La Ventana, as the social media editor. Midway through my first semester, I was assigned a story about Bid Day. This was my first exposure to Greek life at Texas Tech. It was my job to interview all kinds of women involved in Panhellenic sororities about their Bid Day experiences. I was quickly fascinated and dove into a YouTube rabbit hole about all things Greek life and learned everything I could about the process. When registration finally opened for fall 2020 recruitment, I was PNM #35.
Like the rest of the world, I never imagined the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts on everything. Recruitment was fully transformed into a virtual experience, but in the end, I found my home at Alpha Chi Omega! Like many of my sisters, I could feel the authenticity and sincereness when talking to older members about their experiences. I never had to question if I was welcomed or accepted for who I was at Alpha Chi Omega.
I don’t have any biological sisters, just a younger brother who means the world to me. Nevertheless, I found true sisterhood in the relationships I built with my Alpha Chi Omega sisters – in my Greek family, all my roommates in the house we lovingly called the “A Chi Home,” the executive board I served Gamma Rho with and every other sister who touched my life.
The same year I joined the sisterhood of Alpha Chi Omega, I was also officially diagnosed with muscular dystrophy – specifically facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). I say “officially” only because this did not come as a total surprise. My father, uncle and grandmother are all affected by this disease, so I always knew the possibility I would also have it.
I won't bore you with all the details, but FSHD is a genetic neuromuscular disease that is degenerative and currently incurable. Essentially, when my muscles break down, there is no getting them back. Eventually it will likely affect my mobility, strength and appearance. While I was prepared for the diagnosis, it doesn't make the reality any easier –it’s hard knowing that my body will eventually betray me.
So with my diagnosis in mind, why in the world would I sign up for one of the most physically demanding classes that Texas Tech offers in my last semester of undergrad?
Simple. Why not?
Adventure Media is a one-of-a-kind experiential learning opportunity that's focused on audio visual production, creativity and storytelling all while engaging in challenging outdoor recreation. Bike-packing, specifically, is an activity like hiking and camping, but instead of carrying a large pack, everything you need is strapped to your bike. It’s tempting to think this might be easy … I mean, it’s just riding a bike. But that couldn’t be farther from the truth.
This class prepared me to travel 170 miles by bike over challenging terrain. I am not exaggerating when I say we pushed up steep mountain passes, rocky remote trails and ankle-deep sandy paths on our journey along the Monumental Loop. That trek was one of the hardest physical and mental challenges I have ever faced, but also the most rewarding. I was able to discover parts of myself I didn’t know existed and focus my diagnosis into gratitude for the body I have now.
I am absolutely determined not to let FSHD stop me from living life to the fullest. The way I see it, FSHD is sticking around no matter what I do – so I might as well surround it with as much joy, adventure and laughter as I can manage. Truthfully, most of my friends and sisters didn't even know about my diagnosis until recently. Not because I was ashamed or sad to talk about it, but because I really believe that the rest of my story is so much more interesting.
Because of my diagnosis and the sisterhood I found in Alpha Chi, very quickly being a real, strong woman was something I took a lot of pride in. For me it means a lot of things: being able to persevere, being kind, being a good sister, being a good human and supporting things I believe in. It became personal.
While I recognize that my journey through life is really just getting started, I have learned that the best adventures typically come from unexpected places. Whether it's biking through tough trails or finding sisters at Alpha Chi Omega, I've learned that strength isn't solely determined by physical ability.
My hope is that others struggling with the unchangeable or uncontrollable parts of life know that they are stronger than their circumstances. We are real, strong women. It is important to do hard things. You only get one chance at creating an extraordinary life, so take it!
