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Cyclist With MS Completes Cross-Country Trek for Awareness
Wichita, Kansas, September 27, 2004 – Fifty-one year-old Delbert Richardson cycled into Wichita, KS today, completing Crossing America 2004, his solo, 10,073-mile cycling trek across 38 states. Delbert departed on the cycling adventure on January 20, 2004, from his hometown of Wichita.
Richardson, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) six years ago, embarked on the 259-day cycling trip to raise awareness of MS and to demonstrate that people living with the disease can lead full, rewarding lives.
“This trip is proof that even with MS, you can accomplish anything you set out to do,” Richardson said.
As a Betaseron® Champion of CourageSM, and through the sponsorship of Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Mr. Richardson met with multiple people with MS, sharing his belief that people living with the disease can lead full, exciting lives that are as rewarding as those of otherwise healthy individuals.
Highlights of the trip included meeting with other Champions of Courage, multiple MS support groups, cycling over the Golden Gate Bridge, crossing through the Grand Canyon, riding past Mount Rushmore, and visiting Niagara Falls. Each stop along the way was tracked on www.championsofcourage.org.
“We are honored to have been able to support Delbert during his amazing journey. We are grateful for the inspiration and hope he provides to people living with MS,” said Eric Simons, Chairman, Betaseron Champions of Courage program.
Planning Through the Obstacles
Crossing America 2004 is Richardson’s second trip to raise awareness for multiple sclerosis. Four years ago, through a grant from the Betaseron Champions of Courage, he cycled across the United States, traveling across 7 states from Seattle to Washington, D.C. Richardson applied the knowledge he gained during that trip to plan and prepare for his latest journey.
“I put as much effort into planning and preparing for this year’s trip as I did in carrying it out,” said Richardson. “In 2001, my main obstacle was managing my MS symptoms, such as coping with heat and bouts of fatigue. So, I designed and applied to patent an enclosed, three-wheel trike, building in features like special cooling systems and a small gas motor to help me manage my symptoms.”
Rocks in the Road
The trip was not without its challenges. “One of the frustrations was ensuring that the trike was in good shape. In some cases, I had to make adjustments to the trike’s tires and frame, to ensure it could handle the wear and tear of the journey,” Delbert said. But some things were out of Delbert’s control, including “rocks in the road” that bent his tire frames and sidelined him while he waited for new rims to arrive.
Mother Nature
Another obstacle that Delbert had to overcome was variable weather conditions. Rain and snow frequently prevented Delbert from biking; in one case an avalanche closed the roads and forced him to travel by truck to get around snow slides. And, more recently, the barrage of hurricanes sidelined Delbert as he waited for the weather to clear.
“I knew when I started this trip that I would face difficult weather situations. I tried not to let my impatience to be on the road dictate the need for caution when it came to the biking conditions,” Delbert said.
Delbert emphasized that his main challenge on his journey was managing the fatigue associated with his MS and his biking. Richardson’s new trike has a gas motor attached that helped him when he became tired.
“I tried to do approximately 60 miles a day. I found this is the ideal amount; if I went further I risked becoming exhausted. But if I needed to take a day to rest I took it. The most important element in the success of the trip was not how many miles I covered each day, but my ability to continue,” Delbert said.
Betaseron Champions of CourageFunded by a grant from Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc., the Betaseron Champions of Courage program recognizes the accomplishments of people with MS and provides grants to help them achieve their goals and inspire others. Since the program was introduced in 1999, more than 30 women and men have received grants to support motivating projects. Applications can be obtained by visiting www.championsofcourage.org, or by calling 1-202-363-3378.
MS is a disease of the central nervous system affecting the brain and spinal cord. It is estimated to affect more than 400,000 people in the United States and is the major acquired neurologic disease in young adults. People who develop MS may not immediately recognize their condition, because the symptoms of MS are nonspecific and may be similar to those of other diseases. Common signs and symptoms of MS include fatigue, psychological and cognitive changes, weakness or paralysis of limbs, numbness, vision problems, speech difficulties, problems with walking or motor skills, bladder problems, and sexual dysfunction. Though no cure yet exists, there are now therapies available that can impact underlying disease course as well as manage symptoms.
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Contact: |
Liz Garman Betaseron® Multiple Sclerosis Champions of CourageSM Telephone: 202/363-3378 E-Mail: info@championsofcourage.org |
