I am home. Safe & sound.
The long car ride home gave my thoughts a chance to gather.
On Friday afternoon, a couple stopped by our campsite looking specifically for me. Her husband AL had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease two years ago at the age of 49. They stumbled upon my blog, had been following it for 2 weeks and as a result had been searching the RAGBRAI route all week for any signs of the PFP group. As luck, or bad luck, would have it, I wasn’t on site when they finally found us but was at the hospital with Cidney. Determined, Al’s wife Diane , returned later that evening and the three of us had a chance to meet and talk.
Since Al’s diagnosis, he has taken disability and their children are worried. They know no one else with PD and they feel alone and in need of information. So, I hope that I was able to help; they now know me and I gave them some of the MJFF printed cards that I had in my backpack. Al was very interested in signing up with Fox Trial Finder. Mostly, they both appeared grateful.
One person reaching out to another.
This happened over and over this past week. I overheard many of my fellow PFP riders who after hearing Jay’s talk would answer with knowledge and enthusiasm the questions that other riders had when they saw our PFP riding jerseys. One person reaching out to another.
PFP riders w/o PD spending time chatting (or riding...thanks again Dan) with the five of us with PD....increasing their knowledge and sensitivity about what having this diagnosis means. One person reaching out to another.
So for all of my many friends with PD, while this diagnosis may limit you, don’t let it stop you. And for all of my many friends who do not have PD, know that riding across Iowa is not the hardest task someone like me faces. Education, creating awareness, reducing stigma and raising funds to find a cure is a challenge much greater than the hills and heat of Iowa.
This week my fellow PFP riders helped me do all of those things. So, I want to thank all of you. I got to know many more of you this year and your kindness and concern for the 5 of us with PD was abundant. The money that we all raised this year is a testament to your commitment to Jay’s work and to the 5 of us.
Jay Alberts gets a gold medal, 5 stars, a dozen roses and a million thanks. He got us safely and easily from town to town with a SAG support staff that was A-1.
I would be remiss to not send a shout out to all of the Iowans who opened their homes and places of residence to 65 sweaty cyclists each and every day offering us cool shelter and delicious meals......we marveled every day at this overwhelming hospitality.
Last, but by no means least, I want to thank Ann. A great captain, Ann stuck by me through heat, hills and a sore ....well, you know. She really was a part of this team. We learned a lot about each other and I feel I have gained much by riding with her this week. I cannot thank her enough. I hope she had fun and perhaps learned a thing or two but more than that I hope she will join this team again next year.
This was a great week. It was hard but that was a given. I didn’t do anything that brought me or my friends with PD any closer to a cure but that wasn’t the point. Although I can only speak for myself, I am pretty sure that John, Cidney, Bob and Nan would agree that this week was all about what each of us was able to do and not about what we were not. We took control and rode with gusto ...leaving our Parkinson’s at the door, even if just for a week.
So Toodles. Thanks for all of the support and well-wishes that were sent my way.
Until next year.
Karen
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