Imagine landing yourself a spot on one of New York City’s Times Square billboards for an entire week.

What would it take?

For Redmond resident Rick Hoover, it took doing what he loved each week for seven years.

Hoover volunteers at the Evergreen Hospital Medical Center in Kirkland playing piano an hour a day, four days a week. He began his musical gig in 2004, unexpectedly.

“I have a hard time passing by a good looking piano and not playing it,” Hoover said. “So, without anybody’s permission, I just went up to it and started playing. I was here for the birth of one of my granddaughters.”

Since impromptu piano-playing isn’t the status quo at Evergreen, Hoover was told he could volunteer to play after participating in a tryout at a piano store. He nailed it, and officially became a volunteer.

As much as he loves tickling the ivories, it’s not always easy for him. This is because he has lived with multiple sclerosis (MS) for the past 40 years, and uses a wheelchair.

“With my MS, my brain, my eyes, and my fingers don’t work that well together. So, I play pretty much by ear,” Hoover said. “I can’t play really fast, so I’m forced to play slow music. But I like slow music, so that’s okay.”

Hoover was diagnosed 20 years ago, and began having symptoms in his early 20s. A passionate skier and defensive back for the football team at the University of Utah, he noticed his pace slowing during workouts, without any explanation. By 1991, he could hardly warm up for a tennis match without having to lie down and rest.

A visit to a neurologist confirmed that Hoover had MS, but concluded that he didn’t have a very serious case of it, and that he would probably never be in a wheelchair.

“Well, he was right, but he was wrong,” Hoover said. “I did have MS. But I progressed from one cane, to two, to a walker, and now I’ve been in a wheelchair for 10 years or so.”

Multiple sclerosis varies from patient to patient, and Hoover’s is the type that remains constant, or without any remission. The disease affects the central nervous system. As Hoover explained it, the messages from his brain don’t reach his right leg at all. While playing piano, his right hand becomes fatigued, as well as his back. Or, some days when he’s playing, he becomes sleepy.

“It could be a lot worse,” he said. “I don’t think anyone has caught me doing this, but sometimes I’ll put my head down on the piano and just rest for a minute.”

Hoover’s 1,300 plus hours of volunteering at Evergreen as a person living with MS are what landed him a spot in Times Square last March.

His wife, Marcia, suggested him to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to be featured. A team was sent out to his home, and the next thing he knew he was being incorporated into MS Awareness Week.

“I had no idea what that entailed. I knew I would be in the MS magazine, but I had no idea that I would be up in Times Square,” he said. “That was kind of cool.”

Hoover also didn’t realize that he would be in an ad in Modern Healthcare, a professional publication, either, until a hospital member showed him a copy.

“It was just amazing,” said Hoover.

He plans on continuing his volunteer efforts for as long as he can. Next year, Hoover will move into a retirement home, Emerald Heights. His wife, a psychologist, will move into a small house nearby.

His continued efforts are of great appreciation to those at the hospital.

“The talent that Rick brings to Evergreen’s patients, families and all of our staff is exemplary,” said Bob Malte, the Chief Executive Officer at Evergreen. His gift is appreciated by everyone as they walk through our galleria while he is planning the piano. While Rick does not think of himself this way, he is a role model for anyone who faces challenges in their lives no matter what they are. Rick recently was also selected to receive the Evergreen quarterly service award, recognizing the kindness he brings through his time and music. We are delighted that he has also received national recognition.”

Hoover also appreciates and enjoys his time at Evergreen, and allows it to be something of substance and structure during the week.

“I haven’t worked since 1997. So, this gives me something to kind of organize my day around and it’s something I look forward to. I really enjoy it,” Hoover said.

Malte is not alone in his graciousness for Hoover’s musical talent and dedication.

“Rick brings such joy to patients, staff, visitors and even here in our volunteer office with his piano playing,” said Marcia Long, the Director of Volunteer Services at Evergreen Hospital Medical Center. “He is a generous individual, sharing his music with people here on the floor. Rick provides something that is warm and comforting and uplifting.”