From Broken Back to Cycling Across America for MS Cure
FALMOUTH, Mass.— Cape Cod man Dave Nowlan, who broke his back in a sledding accident just two years ago, is planning to ride from Encinitas, Calif., to Cape Cod, Mass., in an effort to raise money to help fund research for a multiple sclerosis cure.
“I’m the luckiest guy in the world to have recovered from a broken back without being paralyzed and be able to train for a long cross-country adventure,” says Nowlan of Falmouth, Mass.
The 57-year-old grandfather of seven is cycling coast to coast during April and May of 2012.
In 1990, Claire Nowlan, Dave’s wife, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Julia Ide, Dave’s oldest child, was also diagnosed with MS in 1997. Claire and Julia are both extremely positive people and have not let MS deter them from their goals. Julia ran the Boston Marathon in 2009, and Claire expresses her love of music and children by continuing her work as a voice teacher. Plus, she walks three miles a day despite the effects MS has on her body.
Dave suffered a broken back sledding with his grandson, Dylan, in 2009. The accident left Dave immobilized for several months. The damage was extensive; his L2, L3, and L 4 Transverse Process bones were broken. This kept Dave lying flat on his back for about six weeks. However, there was limited nerve damage and no paralysis. Dave’s condition slowly improved and within eight weeks after the accident he began several months of physical therapy. After two and a half years of continuing improvement, Dave is now training with almost daily rides from 20 to 50 miles.
Dave is cycling across the country to call awareness to MS and raise money to help find a cure and additional therapies for people living with the effects of this disease. Claire is Dave’s biggest supporter. She’ll be driving the support vehicle and helping Dave on this 3,350-mile adventure. He’ll be blogging and posting pictures and videos on the web throughout his journey to keep friends and supporters updated with his daily progress.
Click here to visit Dave's blog to follow Dave’s progress. The blog also contains a link to sponsor Dave’s ride to help cure MS. Please consider a tax-deductible donation.
Dave is also seeking corporate sponsors to help with a bike, lodging, camper, and transportation. . Dave is expecting news coverage throughout the trip, which will provide publicity for sponsors’ products and services. Any assistance to help him find a cure is greatly appreciated, he says.
