Dialog Box

MND and Me Foundation

Jen

$2,235

raised so far

100%

of $1,000 goal

I'm doing this ride because my brother has Motor Neurone Disease. He was diagnosed at 29 years old, told he had 3-5 years to live and that there was nothing they could do. I'm so thankful to God that he's still here 5 years later. I will continue to support organisations making it easier for those with MND, and those supporting the research towards potential treatments and, hopefully a cure. It remains my hope that one day when someone is told "you have MND" that they are given treatment options, not just a terminal diagnosis.

I know that the MND and Me Foundation does great work supporting both people with MND and their families while also funding critical research.

This is our chance to help them make a positive difference is the lives of people impacted by MND.

No donation is too small and any support you can provide is greatly appreciated.

What is Motor Neurone Disease?

You have nerves in your brain and spinal cord that control how your muscles work. These are called motor neurones. MND is a disease that affects the motor neurones. With MND, motor neurones gradually stop telling your muscles how to move. When muscles no longer move, they become weak, which can also lead to stiffness and loss of muscle mass (wasting). MND is a life-shortening illness that can affect how you walk, talk, eat, drink and breathe. This is usually different for each individual. You may not get all of the symptoms and there is no set order in which they happen. The disease will progress, which means symptoms will get worse over time. For some people this can be rapid, for others it is slower. There is currently no cure for MND.

My Updates

20 May 2019

I don't think it gets any easier... but I'm so thankful I made it all the way without getting off the bike and walking (yes, that almost happened). Thank you to all who have so generously sponsored me. As at right now, your dollars have combined with others to raise over $126,000. I'm so grateful for every single cent of that. It was a great day out (I can say in hindsight). So that's it from me for now... I guess I should say see you next year ;) xo

09 May 2019

9 days... single digits... cripes! Today I did my last longer ride. 4.5hrs in the saddle, 119km.... and I was spent! Hahaha.... I'm going to be in a world of pain next weekend! After this ride I went to my amazing masseuse Julie - who pummelled all my tight muscles and then took the time to encourage me, and reassure me, insisting that I am stronger than I think. This year I can tell myself that I've made the distance before, and I just have to remember why I do the ride... I've got this!

29 Apr 2019

Yesterday's bike ride the aim was triple figures. I wanted to hit the century. Unfortunately my ride buddy was feeling under the weather (get well soon Ki!) so I set out alone. 100km of riding is a long way to go alone. I'm thankful that my knee held up well. I stopped at 10, 40, 50, 70 and 86km.... all for photo opportunities or water bottle refills (I consumed about 4L of fluid while riding....). I started, and 4hrs 10 later I finished my 100.7km ride. That will do :)

24 Apr 2019

The last few days haven't gone exactly to plan.... some inflammation in my knee sidelined me for two days. Physio has given me the okay to ease back into cycling, and she thinks that by the weekend I'll be good for long riding... I'm hoping that means that it's going to be stronger than before... because, the closer we get to the ride, the more the anxiety increases. I'm having those moments of terror, and wishing I could sub my brother in for the ride... or at least borrow his legs...

15 Apr 2019

This week I was super thankful for offers of company from some fantastic triathlon buddies. We checked out a new bike path and all decided we'd be back to do more km's on it later. We did 50km together - and it was such a beautiful day to be out we decided we really should do this more often. The coffee shop at 30km was a welcome sight, and was even cooler when I realised how closely the table matched my cycling kit (these things amuse me...). Only 33 days to go!

09 Apr 2019

On Sunday I teamed up with Jim and Kym - both are doing this very ride (though they've committed to the 170km which is well beyond me!). I tried desperately to hang on their wheels for 87km.... the legs were sure feeling weary at the end. The thought of riding for another 60km after that was daunting. I just have to keep reminding myself that it's just one pedal at a time! It was a stunning day to be out though!

28 Mar 2019

Well the bike training has ramped up.... I've now got a plan I'm actually attempting to follow to slot in around life. I'm also thankful for a few offers of company on long rides and look forward to taking them up on it! With 51 days to go, the fear is starting to return. But I'll just keep pedalling like last year!

25 Feb 2019

Thank you so much to all who have helped me start my fundraising with a massive bang! Time to get on the bike and get some kilometres in my legs so the ride is not quite as tough this year. I appreciate the support so very much xo

Jen has 30 supporters

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