Not many people can say they have travelled by motorcycle across Canada, to the four corners of North America and around the world. Trinity Western University President Bob Kuhn is an exception.
Having embarked on several longdistance motorcycle trips to raise awareness and funding for Parkinson芒鈧劉s disease, Kuhn has a passion for adventure.
Since being diagnosed with Parkinson芒鈧劉s disease in January 2006, Kuhn has remained an active and committed advocate for Parkinson芒鈧劉s disease. In addition to completing several motorcycle trips for the cause, he also speaks regularly on the subject and uses his blog, Positively Parkinson芒鈧劉s (Positivelyparkinsons.blogspot. ca), as a way to encourage and connect with others suffering from Parkinson芒鈧劉s disease.
芒鈧揚arkinson芒鈧劉s disease is one that robs people of their confidence,芒鈧� Kuhn said. 芒鈧揑n place of a firm hand grip, we find ourselves with uncontrollable tremor and weakened muscles. We avoid the limelight and any undue attention because it focuses on our symptoms. Whereas we once felt strong, secure and ready to take on any challenge, now we often feel inadequate and overwhelmed, just trying to get a spoonful of soup to our lips or carry a cup of coffee a few paces to the kitchen table.芒鈧�
Kuhn understands the struggles those with Parkinson芒鈧劉s face, and is passionate about motivating other Parkinson芒鈧劉s sufferers. This week, in partnership with the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson芒鈧劉s Research, Kuhn embarked on another motorcycle adventure known as 芒鈧揟he 50 CC.芒鈧�
The signature ride is a designated part of the Iron Butt Association, made up of more than 50,000 members who are dedicated to safe long-distance motorcycle riding. From Oct. 7 to 9, Kuhn, along with fellow motorcyclist Andrew Westlund, made the roughly 2,400-mile, 50-hour, coast-to-coast ride to raise awareness and, said Kuhn, 芒鈧搕o encourage the Parkinson芒鈧劉s community to live life with purpose, reach beyond comfort zones, accept the challenge of living life to the fullest, fight the disease every step of the way and never give up or give in.
芒鈧揑 want to share my adventure with others who have Parkinson芒鈧劉s, and in doing so encourage them to have their own adventures, be daring and stretch outside their comfort zone芒鈧�, Kuhn added. 芒鈧揑t芒鈧劉s important to show people with Parkinson芒鈧劉s that they can accomplish extraordinary things, despite this disease.芒鈧�
The 50 CC ride began Tuesday in San Diego, California, and continued across the southern U.S. to Jacksonville, Florida, which Kuhn reached on Thursday.
For event details, visit Facebook. com/coasttocoastforthecure. Kuhn will be posting about his adventure at Twitter.com/TWU_Bob.
