I will no longer be updating Iron Guide (see below). Instead, I am now writing at my new, personal blog. Though that will be about some of the newer things I'm doing in life, if you want to see updates about Louie, Lester, and now Dusky, add me on Facebook -- there's enough ridiculously cute pictures to go around.

I'm alive! Really, I'm alive! I've been traveling a lot these past few weeks and, between the 4 cities in 11 days, the startup and the Ironman training and -- well, you get the picture -- I just haven't been able to post. I wasn't even going to post today, really, but I was going through my email and I knew I had to write about this.

I met Amy, Tom and their 16-year-old son Sam when I first joined the Seattle chapter for Guide Dogs back in September 2005. They were raising Sadler, a gentle giant of a yellow Lab with the biggest, most massive head you never did see. Sadler was just awesome: I remember talking to Tom at the Guide Dogs Christmas Party with Sadler sitting quietly and resting his (massive) head on Tom's knee, happily ignoring all kinds of food whizzing by and humans of different shapes and sizes walking around, over, and sometimes into him. Sadler unfortunately didn't quite make it through college and was career changed in phase 8, but I'm sure doesn't mind his current living arrangement. ;)

In August 2006, Sam was diagnosed with a rare genetic, progressive neurodegenerative disorder called Friedreich's Ataxia. Although symptoms vary, most patients lose muscle strength and coordination over time and suffer from vision impairment, heart disease, slurred speech, and are ultimately forced to use a wheelchair. Despite active research in the field and the discovery in 1996 of the gene causing Friedreich's Ataxia, there is no known cure or treatment. An active athlete and high school baseball player, Sam is not one to take this lying down: although he is no longer able to play baseball or rollerblade or play his favorite sports anymore, Sam and his entire family are cycling with the Ride Ataxia II team from Sacramento to Las Vegas to raise funds for Friedreich's Ataxia research and make their presence known at the Friedreich's Ataxia Foundation Annual Convention. They will be finishing the 540-mile ride today and will arrive just in time for the start of the convention tomorrow.

Now, that's an Ironman.

Labels: Ironman

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