By Maggie Beamguard
Insider Editor
On several Longleaf Pine covered acres of land south of Jackson Springs, Dr. Pete McKay forages for the fallen branches of scrub oaks, poplars, cherry trees and dogwoods.
He takes them to his workshop, where he cuts and dries them. The seasoned wood is shaped and sanded. As rough edges give way to smooth, natural contours, the unique characteristics of each piece are enhanced.
McKay finds joy in transforming raw materials into tangible, useful objects. These sticks, you see, will be given new life as walking sticks.
He began woodworking as a boy under the mentorship of a neighbor. One of his early creations, a boat, has a prize spot in the lobby of his dental practice in Seven Lakes. His current creations branch out of a rustic wooden container near the front door. Some are straight and stately. Others twist and curl, molded by wind and shaped by sunlight.
For McKay, they are tools for getting around in the world and symbols of resilience.
Nerves of Steel
Resilience is something about which McKay – pronounced McCoy – knows a thing or two. Outside of the academic rigor of his youth, studying biology, anthropology, dental morphology and ultimately dentistry, McKay has lived some adventures and misadventures.
A seasoned mountain climber, he has scaled three of Colorado’s “Fourteeners” — mountains that soar at least 14,000 feet or more — and explored the backcountry terrains of New Mexico.
His exploits have not been without risk. When he was a college student, a mountain climbing accident on Sauertown Mountain, north of Winston-Salem, left McKay with a shattered femur, head trauma and a grueling recovery. He has had over 20 orthopedic surgeries and copes with his own autoimmune disease.
But he keeps going. “You have to learn to deal with whatever your deficiency is,” he said. “You don’t have to overcome it.”
His passion for endurance sports includes long-distance running, and he is an avid cyclist. Cycling is central to his lifestyle, propelling his fitness journey and his charitable efforts for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
A Case of the Nerves
Multiple Sclerosis is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system.The body’s immune system attacks myelin, the protective coating of the nerves and disrupts signals to the rest of the body. Symptoms affect different areas of the body and include among other things numbness, tingling, vision impairment, fatigue and mobility issues.
McKay does not have MS himself, but the illness has pulsed through his life’s story. His maternal grandfather battled the disease and his family’s life shifted dramatically as they moved from Florida to North Carolina to get the best care for him. He died from complications of the disease during a time when there was little that could be done to ameliorate the impacts.
An anthropology professor and a dental school classmate he cycled with fought the disease, as did a close family friend.
The autoimmune disease hit close to home when McKay’s wife, Mary, received a diagnosis of MS in 2009.
“MS is part of my life story,” McKay said. “Its not just about the illness but about the people and their strength and the community that grows around them.”
Getting Up the Nerve
McKay’s own health setbacks have made him sensitive to the kinds of issues people with MS face. And he has become a fierce advocate and fundraiser for life improving research, patient guidance, and programs that offer advice for living with and managing MS.
His cycling buddy and dental school classmate introduced him to Bike MS in 1994. He has dedicated over 30 years to the cycling fundraiser that has raised nearly $2 million with his “Team Canterbury” teammates.
This September he cycled in two North Carolina events, one in New Bern and the Tour to Tanglewood in Clemmons. He rode 50 miles for each event.
He has seen many medical advancements since his first Bike MS ride. Back then there was one disease modifying treatment. Now there are over 20 medicines that reduce the effects and stall the progression of MS.
Calming the Nerves
McKay has discovered another way to support people with MS. He sells his meticulously crafted walking sticks at MS Bike events, festivals and in his office to raise additional funds. Blending art and advocacy, every sale supports the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
His sticks are practical aids for balance and mobility, but they are also heartfelt symbols in the fight against MS.
“A lot of people with MS need some kind of aid to help them walk and get around,” he said. “But also the stick itself represents a lot of character. What you see in the hiking stick, in its shape and knots and grain is what the tree has lived through in spite of the things that happened to it. But it kept growing.”
Each purchase connects to a greater cause, adding meaning to McKay’s craftsmanship. “People often tell me these sticks give them strength physically and emotionally,” he said. “It’s a way of showing that even when things seem broken or imperfect, there’s beauty and purpose.”
The walking sticks, $40 each, are available year round at McKay’s office, 120 Grant St., Seven Lakes. McKay will also accept donations for his team’s 2026 MS Rides.
With McKay’s persistent advocacy, those diagnosed with MS build resilience one ride, one stick, one dollar at a time.
Contact Maggie Beamguard at maggie@thepilot.com.
