From Here To There 2010

I'm riding a hand cycle from St. Louis to Washington D.C. on April 28th to promote awareness for

Spinocerebellar Ataxia while raising money for physically disabled children to participate in sports

through Disabled Athletes Sports Association.

Friday, June 11, 2010

Day 21 Tuesday, May 18 - #1
In Danville, KY at Super8. Yesterday pulling out of a parking lot I messed up my back.

Day 21 Tuesday, May 18 - #2
A bridge is out, so we had to loop around.

Posted by Allen & Andrea at 12:43 PM

Allen & Andrea: My name is Allen Baumgartner. In 2008 I was diagnosed with Friedreich's Ataxia, sometimes referred to as the unknown disease. Friedreich's Ataxia is a type of Spinocerebellar Ataxia, a rare and progressive neurological disease that affects the muscle and heart. It causes degeneration of the spine and cerebellum that results in loss of coordination of muscle movements (ataxia) and other symptoms. Over the course of about a year, I went from having an unusual gait (ie, walk) to a cane to a wheelchair. It was right at this same time that I moved into the wheelchair that I finally received a diagnosis of Friedreich's Ataxia. When I was diagnosed, I asked myself one question: stop or go? I chose go. Soon after, I made the decision to ride across country from St. Louis, Missouri using an arm-powered bike called a hand cycle, to raise awareness for my disease. You can find out more about my trip at my website: www.FromHereToThere2010.com

Created with flickr slideshow.