Here is some more news from
Cathy...
Thanks
David,
Chris and
I just got back from a fabulous hike in the Warner Mountain Wilderness. It may be a while before
I post pics but
I'll let you know. We are attempting to do a ride next weekend in the Sierra's called The Death Ride. 5 mountain passes and 16,000 of climbing. You have 16 hours to finish. We are attempting the ride with our friend that has ALS. We will ride with him till he can ride no more.
Chris and
I will go on from there as we are prepared to complete the course. The goal is for our friend to complete as much as he can so we will support him.
I will let you know how it goes.
Cheers,
CathyCathy also sent along this piece about their friend,
Lenny. It's written by
Chris Armstrong.
Thanks,
Chris. Nice job!
It’s practically involuntary. You reach for the morning coffee, you button your shirt, you walk to the car, you go for a drive…you breathe.
Engaging in the seemingly mundane activities of daily life, your muscles respond without thought. Unless you’re stricken with ALS. ALS: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Lou Gehrig's Disease, call it what you want, but a disease with no cure, and one that is terminal, often within 5 years of diagnosis. It’s a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control muscles.
The disease has no favorites. In fact, it seems to strike its fair share of relatively young athletic types. Someone like Lou Gehrig, and someone like my friend Lenny.
Lenny’s one of those gregarious, loud, high-energy types. Muscular activity has been his release! I met him on the river, sharing our passion for kayaking the quality whitewater in this state. The perfect outlet for a guy like Lenny.
He first noticed difficulty grasping his paddling gear. Carpal tunnel syndrome the doc said. No problem, this should pass soon enough. But it never did. It became more and more difficult to get his paddling gear on. More trips to the doctor and it become clear: Lenny has ALS.
At some point, I suppose you accept your fate. But you don’t have to like it. That’s where Lenny’s at now. Not liking it one bit, but amazingly not changing who he is. Muscular activity, adventure, it’s a release: he needs it. Much has changed in how he goes about it, but he’s finding Lenny working his way down Mears Creek ways.
Two years ago, shortly after his diagnosis, six of us flew our road bikes to France, rented a motor home and followed the Tour de France through the French countryside. Although weakening, most people couldn’t tell a difference. The following year, the lure of the Tour struck again and we just had to go back. This time there were two motor homes, and 12 people. Lenny’s slow degeneration was continuing, but you could sooner jump over the moon then have Lenny not be part of the trip. His arms, hands and fingers were problems enough, but he’d adapted. We weren’t entirely sure how safe he was riding through the Alps and Pyrenees, but you weren’t stopping him.
The biggest physical challenge on the bike for Lenny was holding his head up. His wife devised an ingenious but simple strap system that worked wonders. It got him through many hours of cycling.
Eventually, late last year, Lenny had to give up the traditional road bike. It just wasn’t safe for him anymore. He tried a short stint on a recumbent bike, a type of bike that has you sitting in a more reclined position, but after a crash and a trip to the hospital, it was apparent this was no better.
Today, Lenny’s still rides. In fact, riding fairly decently. He found a manufacturer of high performance "trikes" which is the solution for now. But as his legs continue to weaken, he’ll be looking for his next release. Eventually, this release will have to be non-muscular.
Our connection with Lenny has prompted my wife and me to get involved with fund raising efforts. It’s sometimes said there is a great need for supporters as there are no survivors that can carry on as advocates.
We’ve organized a cycling team that we call "Team Leo" (Lenny’s part-time nickname). For now, there are 15 of us that have raised nearly $10,000 toward the effort of finding a cure for ALS. We primarily raise the funds through organized rides in Central California.
If you’d like to join us for a ride, the next opportunity is September 24, 2006 through the magnificent Napa Valley. You can select one of three routes — 10 miles, 25 miles, or a Metric Century of 62 miles. The ten-mile route is relatively flat and designed for families. The 25-mile route is designed for people with some cycling experience. The Metric Century route will offer riders the challenge of some of the hills of the Valley. These non-competitive supported rides feature rest stops fully stocked with water, fruit and munchies, SAG wagon service and complimentary bicycle safety checks and minimal mechanical support.
When you cross the finish line you’re treated to a victory barbeque lunch, music, entertainment and raffle prizes. If you’d like to come out, support a good cause, and ride with Lenny and Team Leo, don’t hesitate to contact me for details. Chris Armstrong 916-837-3690.
