We're Linda and Andy Johnson, from Cazenovia, New York. We've recently embarked on an exciting journey. Last year Kyle Bryant originated the idea of Ride Ataxia - riding his three-wheeled cycle from San Diego to the annual National Ataxia Foundation meeting in Memphis. It took two months to get there, and in the process he raised $40,000 to fund Ataxia research and he raised awareness of the disease like no one has before. Well he rode to the annual meeting again this year and we joined him! For this trip, we left from Sacramento on March 15 and arrived in Las Vegas on March 27.

You see Linda also has Friedreich's Ataxia. This inherited disease causes the nerves of the body to deteriorate. Linda (and Kyle) can still walk at this point, but it's getting much more difficult. In addition, speech gets slurred, finger dexterity suffers, and other serious complications can develop as time goes on.

The good thing is that research is more promising than ever! Several drugs are going through trials at this time, with other significant research taking place as you read this. There has never been a better time to contribute to this research! Let's cure this disease - for Linda, for the rest of the Ride Ataxia team, and for all of the others afflicted with this disease! We met up with many of them again when we got to Las Vegas, where we heard the latest news from the researchers. Let's give them the funds they need to solve this problem once and for all!

Enjoy our blog! Feel free to write to us any time. Check out the links in the right column below to read more about the disease or to find out more about the ride. And please... it's not too late to Help Find the Cure!


Saturday, February 2, 2008

Many Many Thanks!

Linda writes:

Loved, cared about, blessed, fortunate, joyful, tearful, warm and fuzzy ... All words to describe how your generous donations have made us feel! We are so thankful for the support and encouragement we have received! After just one week, you all helped us exceed our $10,000 goal!

With 8 weeks left to this adventure, we have decided to shoot for a stretch goal of $15,000 ... why not!? This way new contributors can easily see their contribution fulfilling a financial goal which will lead to the final goal of curing ataxia!

Many many thanks to everyone for your giving from the heart!

Posted at 7:55 AM

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