Maple Leafs TJ Brodie and wife Amber intend to take a big bite out of MS

TJ and Amber Brodie at MS on Ice 2016. Supplied photo

TJ Brodie knew full well that girlfriend Amber DeBakker had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when he proposed in 2016.

The ensuing years have seen the stress of symptoms, medical appointments and some mornings where Amber suffers vision problems or has no feeling in her legs. We’ll venture there have been a few tears of frustration for the couple along the way of battling an often-debilitating disease of which the cause is not known and there is no present cure.

But seven years, two kids and many trials later in their early 30s, the Maple Leafs defenceman and his wife are committed to as fulfilling a life as possible and being spokespersons to help other MS patients.

They are leading a major fundraiser all day Thursday for Burgers To Beat MS Day, in partnership with the A&W restaurant chain in Canada. Two bucks from every Teenburger sold will go to MS Canada, a promotion that has raised nearly $20 million in 15 years.

Amber holds to the personal credo posted atop her social media account — “If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.”

“I have good days and bad days,” she said during the couple’s interview with the Toronto Sun. “A good one is when I even forget I have MS, a bad day is when I have blurry vision, numbness and fatigue. I do as much as possible to reduce inflammation, which in controlled through diet and different types of cold therapy.

“MS obviously comes with its physical challenges, but what’s not talked about enough is the mental challenges — the day-by-day, not knowing what tomorrow is going to bring.

“Changing your perspective is about how you’re grateful for waking up each day.”

She and TJ (Thomas James) knew each other way back as nine and 10-year-olds in Dresden, Ont., near the Brodie’s farm on the road to Chatham. They continued to date well into the start of his NHL career with the Calgary Flames.

He carried an engagement ring around for six months, until it came out soon after her emotional phone call during a Flames trip to tell him an MRI of her unexplained afflictions was actually MS.

She recalled how much TJ’s soothing words meant at the time.

“It came as a shock,” Amber said of his proposal. “(Marriage) was my hope of course, but it speaks volumes of who TJ is as a person: Quiet, calm, the support I’ve needed. He’s always there for me”.

Brodie is one of the most soft-spoken Leafs, at least in public, but he has been inspired by Amber’s courage and his own desire to spread the word of the MS cause. Both dove right into researching all aspects of the disease to give her maximum resources.

On average, 12 Canadians are diagnosed every day, one of the highest rates in the world, with more 90,000 in the country living with MS.

It alters the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord.

“This has taught me a lot about myself, especially that hockey is not everything,” TJ said. “It had been my whole life growing up, all that’s mattered. But when it really comes down to it, what’s most important is your family, friends and people who’ll be there long after hockey is done.

“MS is one of those things you can’t control. Nothing is going to cure it. You try and take the positives and not the bad days you might have ahead, just enjoy the good ones you have right now.”

The couple has a five-year-old daughter, Severn Taney, and two-year-old son, Church Dresden James.

“That adds to the fatigue for sure,” Amber said with a laugh. “Sometimes, I don’t know it it’s the MS or motherhood.”

Lengthy team trips, difficult for NHL families at the best of times, can take a toll on the Brodies.

“It’s harder as the kids start growing up,” TJ noted. “They start to understand (Amber’s condition) a bit more. They tell you they don’t want you to leave. But we have a good support system now that we’re closer to home (since he signed in Toronto almost three years ago). We have people within driving distance when I’m gone. Knowing that makes it easier.”

Proceeds from events such as Beat MS Day are channeled to prevention and management.

Donations also can be made online at BurgersToBeatMS.ca site.

BRODIE EXCITED FOR TRELIVING REUNION

There was no trepidation for TJ Brodie when old boss Brad Treliving was named new general manager of the Maple Leafs.

In fact Treliving, known to be an exec who takes special interest in the well-being of his players and staff, was one of the first to offer support when TJ’s wife, Amber, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2015 in his Calgary Flames’ tenure.

“I always liked Tree,” Brodie said of the coming season. “He was always there if we needed him to talk to. Him reaching out makes a big difference. You know that if there was anything wrong, he was there and he understands.

“That lets you go out and do the job you want to do.”

Brodie is gearing up for Toronto’s training camp in a month’s time. Of course, he has followed Treliving’s major off-season acquisitions, led by forwards Tyler Bertuzzi, Max Domi, Ryan Reaves, Dylan Gambrell, defenceman John Klingberg and goaltender Martin Jones.

There’s also a new assistant coach for the Toronto blue line, NHL veteran Mike Van Ryn.

“I don’t know any of them personally, but I will eventually,” Brodie said. “I’ve played against them all. We’ve definitely added some grit and guys that will move the body around.

“Mike will be a great addition. He has a lot of experience with the St. Louis Blues when they won the Cup (2019). It’s exciting.”