Craig Washka was always an outdoorsy type when he was younger. Sports, camping, canoeing, biking, you name it. Even when he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2004, Craig managed to get around, especially on a nearby bike path in Granville. 

He would ride up and down the path on his power chair, using a hand-held blower to whisk away leaves, twigs, acorns, and other debris. Prior to that, he was seen rolling around on his handcycle. 

But as his disease progressed and he was confined to bed for 8 months with pressure sores, he knew what to do when myriad doctors couldn’t heal them. 

“I called Ohio’s Hospice. They came to the rescue,” Craig said. “Ohio’s Hospice saved my life.” 

A nurse with experience in wound care suggested a mixture of two creams which healed the sores and got him out of bed.  

That’s why Craig was all smiles recently while sitting in his wheelchair, enjoying a nice afternoon on a peaceful street in Granville. 

“I was afraid that I was going to die right there in that bed,” he said. “But I had the best care in the world. They were so nice to me. They were so kind and gentle, just like they said they were going to be.” 

And because of that superior care he received, Craig was able to attend a special Licking Park District ceremony where a portion of the TJ Evans Trail – which connects Johnstown, Alexandria, Granville, and Newark – was named Craig Washka Way. He also received the inaugural Legacy Award for his commitment and dedication to the district. 

Fitting because despite his MS diagnosis, Craig always found a way. 

The disease ended his career as a professional airplane pilot, but he was able to stay on and help train and recruit pilots.  

He could no longer ride a bike on the trails, but he began meaningful volunteer work with the park district using his wheelchair.  

And he has raised approximately $250,000 through Bike MS. He captained a team called Craig’s Crankers, riding in the 150-mile Bike for MS event in northeast Ohio. Craig hasn’t ridden in the event in years, but the rest of the Crankers still participate. 

“I thought when I was diagnosed with MS, I thought life was over,” he said. “But really, it had only just begun.” 

It’s our mission to provide superior care and superior services to each patient and family and improve quality of life. In Craig’s case it’s more than quality of life, “I have a life,” he said.