by Dana Burnell
Washington, USA
In January of 1998, I was diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease. I was 37. My wife Kathryn and I had just moved from Boston, Massachusetts to the Seattle, Washington area with our two young children, aged 9 and 11. We didn’t know a lot of people, and the diagnosis hit us quite hard. We coped as best we could, but it was difficult.
That summer, my wife discovered an annual charity bicycle ride, the Seattle to Portland (STP) ride, a two-day, 200-mile ride from Seattle, Washington, to Portland, Oregon. Up to 8,000 people take part in this well-known local event.
One of the charities the STP raises funds for is the Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation. This local foundation supports Parkinson’s research. Kathryn had never been a bicyclist, so I was surprised when she signed up. The ride was not easy.
Her bicycle was old, heavy, clunky, and hard to ride, especially in comparison with the bikes of other people at the event. I had gotten her this discount-store bicycle several years earlier, a mountain bike with knobby tires. People suggested that Kathryn purchase a newer, lighter bike, but she didn’t.
Kathryn found one friend to ride with and went on only a few training rides. Then 0ne Saturday morning in July, we left home at 5:30 a.m. At 6:00 a.m. she mounted her clunky old bicycle and rode to Portland over the next two days. That year she raised over $1000.
I was glad Kathryn was enthused about the ride and had become a fundraiser, but didn’t really comprehend why she was involved until I heard her explain it to some friends of ours. I thought she was motivated to go because of the challenge, the exercise, or at least being outdoors.
She told our friends that the ride was one of the hardest things she had ever done. She said she didn’t even like bike riding. With tears in her eyes, she said that she did it because it was one of the only ways she could help to make a difference in my life. Fundraising research for a cure was her motivation.
I was overwhelmed. I really had not thought about the deep impact my disease had on my wife, other than thinking she seemed OK with it. I had thought Kathryn had ridden to achieve a personal goal, fun, or adventure, but I was wrong. She had done it all for me.
Since then, Kathryn has perfected her fundraising and kept up the rides. She has ridden four years, collecting over $25,000 for Parkinson’s research.
Kathryn has been by my side for over 20 years. We’ve managed every blessing and storm together. On learning that my disease touched her enough to achieve something so difficult, I felt loved, honored, and humbled. She rarely rides during the year, but in July, you’ll be sure to find my hero riding south from Seattle.
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Often, when there is a hero (positive), the need for a hero is someone else’s fault (negative). This story is particularly beautiful because it is all positive. I wish the best for this family.
What a wonderful story. It brought tears to my eyes and a gigantic lump to my throat but then I doubt anyone could read it without the same response. We hear so many negative stories that it’s so good to hear of a couple that has this kind of deep, abiding love. Thank you for publishing it.
I love your stories and cannot keep them to myself therefore I sent them to everyone on my email list and asked them to subscribe. Its nice to read about the goodness in people.
Thank you,
Bob
Now, THIS is true love.
My heart is warmed from this story.
I thank you for showing others there is still wonderful ppl in this world. The man in this story went thru a 6-month Bible study with me. Blessings to your family.
I would love to know how this family is doing, 19 years after the story was first published. It’s a wonderful piece.
Hello Debbie!
This is Kathryn from the story! We just celebrated our 40th anniversary on Aug 14th! We have eight grandchildren and still live in our home we purchased after moving here from Boston. Dana’s Parkinson’s has advanced so he uses a wheelchair when we out now. He has earned his doctorate in Philosophy and has written a couple of books. I haven’t ridden the STP for a few years now but did complete the ride for ten years and raised over 60,000.00 for Parkinson’s research. This has earned me a place in the STP Hall of Fame. Thank you for asking! We live life one day at a time and count our blessings. Today is a gift, that’s why it’s called, the present!
Blessings,
Kathryn
This is indeed a very touching story of true and lasting love. That Kathryn kept the real motivation from her husband, for the first time she signed up for the ride, makes her gift to him even more meaningful. I do hope that she got a newer, lighter and more comfortable bike for her future rides.
Yes, I did get a better bike, I earned it through fund-raising! I have learned though, there is NO such thing as a comfortable seat! It’s all about desire and tenacity. The longest journey begins with the first step/pedal, then you just keep pedaling!!!!
We just celebrated our 40th anniversary on Aug 14th! We have eight grandchildren and still live in our home we purchased after moving here from Boston. Dana’s Parkinson’s has advanced so he uses a wheelchair when we out now. He has earned his doctorate in Philosophy and has written a couple of books. I haven’t ridden the STP for a few years now but did complete the ride for ten years and raised over 60,000.00 for Parkinson’s research. This has earned me a place in the STP Hall of Fame. Thank you for asking! We live life one day at a time and count our blessings. Today is a gift, that’s why it’s called, the present!
Blessings,
Kathryn
My husband and I have just celebrated out 49th anniversary. Nowadays that is considered quite a feat. Congratulations to you two on your 40th. I’m so glad you were able to get a newer and better bike, though, as a cyclist, I absolutely agree with you about there never being a comfortable seat! Hopefully, although you no longer do The Ride, someone else is enjoying being on that famous bike.