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!


Friday, March 14, 2008

Surprise Greeting Party and Bike Assembly

Linda writes:

First flight out of Syracuse was a 1/2 hour late leaving, after that the other two flights were on-time and pleasant. So we arrived at the Sacramento Airport at 11:00 PM California time (2:00 AM Cazenovia time), came down the escalator, and who is there yelling, "Linda Johnson! Linda Johnson!" ... Linda's mom and dad! They flew in from Florida to meet us at the airport and send us off on Saturday! What a nice surprise!

This morning we had a quick breakfast and went to the parking garage where Andy put our bikes together. Damage during shipping - a bent derailler flange on Andy's bike (he bent it back using pliers he brought) and my speedometer was cracked (mom and I bought a new one at the bicycle shop down the street). He was done by noon, and we took them for a quick spin around the capitol park. He adjusted his derailer, mine was good, and it looks like we're good to go!

We're meeting the team along with friends and family at the Outback for a 1:30 celebration lunch. Weather is low 60's and clear skies. So far a very nice day!

Posted at 3:15 PM

1 comments:

Jen Farmer said...

I can't imagine the excitment you both must feel and relief at having your bikes assembled and in working order.

We are all (Dr. Lynch and crew and Felicia at FARA) cheering you both on and will be checking your blog for to read about our adventure.

Can't wait to greet you in Vegas!
All the best, Jen Farmer

March 14, 2008 9:12 PM

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