November 10, 2005

A successful life’s detour

Almaden man honored at MS Dinner of Champions
Former executive Doug Richardson flourishes despite “unexpected change in direction”

By Julie Davis Berry
Executive Editor

The man with the smiling blue eyes and boyish shock of gray hair quickly navigates his way around a crowd in his motorized scooter, happily greeting friends as he approaches them.

Doug Richardson poses with the MS Society’s Michelle Spain-Allen at the MS Dinner of Champions.

The 50-something man is Doug Richardson, who was honored last month at the Silicon Valley Multiple Sclerosis Dinner of Champ-ions with an achievement award for his dedication to helping those coping with the devastating disease live to the best of their abilities.

Those who know Richardson can’t think of a better choice to mentor those facing the disease, because Richardson himself has lived with MS for 17 years.

“MS is not an end to one’s dreams and aspirations. It’s just an unexpected change in direction. I have never felt healthier and more fulfilled in my life pursuits,” explains Richardson.

As 2005 draws to a close, Richardson ends his term as a chapter board member, and will soon begin his first term as the chairman of the board at the Society. Richardson brings with him leadership skills, professional experience and a true commitment to its clientele. He says his goals are to sustain annual revenues and growth of 20 percent and increase the size of the board from its current membership of 12 members to 30 members. “I’d also like to develop our sources of contributions,” Richardson said.

Richardson has approached his disease with a positive attitude, and uses it as a springboard to help others cope.

“Doug has a very positive influence on people with MS. He spends a lot of personal time with people struggling with issues related to MS and his time is invaluable,” said Nancy McHenry, development director for the Silicon Valley MS Society.

Richardson’s speech really had an impact on the audience of 250 at the Dinner of Champions. “It was filled with representatives from the top companies across the nation and when Doug spoke everyone was so impressed with his powerful message about how to live your life,” said McHenry. “His attitude is contagious. He can relate to many who haven’t had the advantages that he’s had—even those who are abandoned by their family after their diagnosis. He’s a very special man whose work carries a powerful message.”

For the past few years, Richardson has devoted his time to leading the Government Relations Com-mittee and volunteering for the Friendly Visitors Program by visiting weekly with people living with MS and other chronic illnesses at a convalescent home in Morgan Hill.

Richardson’s pastor, Jeff Wenke of The Journey Church, describes him as a “man with exceptional clarity of purpose for his life. He has an uncanny knack for being sensitive to the needs of others especially those with MS. Doug’s physical impairments haven’t affected his perception or wisdom.”

Several family members traveled from southern California to attend the MS dinner. “It was a lovely ceremony,” said Doug’s wife Debi. “There was a nice movie about Doug and it was gratifying to just tell Doug how much we admire how he has carried himself despite having MS.”

Another friend, Jari Shimer, attended the ceremony. “It is inspiring to see that I am not the only person whose life has been blessed by knowing Doug,” said Shimer.  “I am very happy that Doug has received just a small part of the recognition that he deserves and yet never seeks.”

Shimer said that he is impressed that Richard-son leads such a disciplined life.  “He plans his days and weeks. He swims almost every day.  Some things he needs to do early in the day before he grows fatigued. And yet, Doug has a huge capacity to help other people and be concerned about their welfare.”

Doug Richardson’s family proudly poses after the ceremony. Left to right: Asghar Badii (brother in law), Debi (wife), Linda Badii (sister), and Colleen Hamilton (mother). Photos courtesy of the Richardson family.

Richardson and his wife Debi live in a beautiful two-story home in Almaden Valley. For the past six years Richard-son has been scooter-bound, but at home he uses a walker to navigate the steps inside his home and hugs the railing as he climbs the stairs to his bedroom. He describes the progression of his disease as a “slow and gradual decline.”

Although Richardson was able to work in senior management through the 1990s for Amdahl/Fujitsu he had to retire in 2001 due to his physical decline. He says he will never forget the kindness of the people at Amdahl/Fujitsu. “I was told that Amdahl did not care about my physical infirmities; they only cared about what I had in my heart. They were very accommodating.”

Debi eventually went back to school to get her teaching credential and became the breadwinner and (most importantly) the insurance provider for the family. She taught for several years at Castillero Middle School before taking her current position in the mentoring program at the San Jose Unified School District. “Doug and I really have a team relationship,” she said. “One of the benefits of Doug’s retirement was that he was able to spend so much time with the girls, who attended Lincoln High School.”

The Richardson’s 19-year-old daughter Darci performed along with her band, the Darryl Patrick Jazz Ensemble at the dinner. Unfortunately, her twin sister Dianna, who is in school in Long Beach studying Opera Performance, and her brother, Doug, 21, a senior at Loyola Marymount majoring in finance, were unable to attend the event because of mid-term exams.

According to Debi the evening was one Doug will not soon forget. “When a person loses the ability to contribute in one way,” she said, “it is great to contribute in another way.”

Richardson summed up his feelings at the end of his speech by paraphrasing a sentence from Robert Frost’s poem “Road Not Taken,”

Two paths diverged into the woods and I chose a path less taken and it has made all the difference.

For more information on the Silicon Valley Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, visit the Web site at www.nationalmssociety.org or call (408) 988-1816.