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Hi All,
If you've followed the announcements on Suite 101's Bulletin Board, you would know that this weekend was the 3rd annual Ride for Rett. First of all, many of you may ask what is Rett Syndrome? This is a disorder often mistaken for autism and primarily effecting girls and women. This is because male fetuses usually die before birth from this genetic ascribed disease. As a scientist, it is easy to get intrigued with the medical causes for a disease and yet not see the human face of a disorder.
Steve Medlin, the ride chairman and a member of the board of directors for the International Rett Syndrome Assoc., put photos of the young ladies afflicted with Rett on a poster for the event. They range from 4 to 23 years old and are from the area. This fosters a strong sense of community because these are in fact our neighbors, our friends. The event drew 150 participants and will raise 25-30K once all donations are received.
In the spirit of "in the trenches journalism", I decided to cover this event for the local New Jersey newspapers as rider. There were routes of varying length, 60, 35, 25, 13 and 7. I did the 7 mile route twice which gave me a total of 14 miles. We could not have asked for a more gorgeous day which started out cool and warmed up to more of a summer picnic setting by noon.
PHOTOS: Top - Mike and Heather Greenfield soak up some morning rays with friend Larry Cagen. Right-Pat Imbema of Middletown prepares for a 25 mile ride with "Team Abby" so named for Nuria Dunn's daughter.
So how was the tour? Well, I had been doing about 15 miles a day on my 26 pound Nishiki Sport touring bicycle. Riding the tour with my Terry Symmetry which is about 6 lbs lighter made the event pretty much a walk in the park. I would definitely consider a longer route next time as I came in about 1 minute ahead of the rest of my group. The second time we did the route, a huge doe ran out of the woods just missing me and my riding buddy, Brian Gildea, by seconds. All the same, we passed beautiful scenery and wildlife. Crossing a local reservoir, we saw an opossum, two white male egrets, ducks, geese and that crazy deer that almost sideswiped me.
The event wrapped up with music from a local band called Wired. The lead singer, a female vocalist also a composer, has great potential, did popular music and even a few oldies. Lots of good food, camaraderie and a sincere out pouring of affection by the community and families of these beautiful young ladies.
Really what I enjoyed most was seeing the interaction between the parents and children. I took one photo of Dawn Cagen interacting with her daughter Brianna who is 10 years old. Brianna was sitting on her lap and swaying to the music of the band. The tenderness that mother had for her child who was content to be there in her arms was endearing. More than that it made me think of my own 10 year old daughter, Magda and how much I love and care for her. Mothers of Rett Syndrome children are no different. Both are blessed to have each other.
I want to especially thank my husband, Joseph Miczak for training and coaching me as well for all the equipment assembly and maintainance. I'd also like to thank Terry Precision Cycling for my Terry Symmetry, cycling jerseys, gloves and pants, Veltec Group for my Easton clip-ons and CicloSport cyclometer / heart rate monitor. Riding with such superior cycling equipment made my first tour both successful and enjoyable.
This article along with these photos and more were sent to the Asbury Park Press newspaper. I also mentioned my Ride for Rett participation in my interview with More Magazine. That issue should hit the stands this December. Next assignment, the MS Tour in PA next spring!
On the Road again.....
Dr. Marie Miczak
Posted by Author
at 8:05 PM EDT
Updated: Tuesday, 5 October 2004 10:15 AM EDT
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Updated: Tuesday, 5 October 2004 10:15 AM EDT
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cool
on fire
bright
lyrical
special
