OUR DREAM...
Our names are Scott, Sean, Ross and Ryan Mackinnon, four brothers from Comox Valley, British Columbia, Canada and we had the privilege of having the most inspirational grandfather we could have ever asked for. We idolized our grandfather Neville " BAHA" Munro. A basketball Olympian, successful lawyer, published author on Parkinson's disease, financial advisor and University of British Columbia Athletics Hall of Fame member. Neville Munro left a long list of accomplishments for us to marvel at. However that is not what truly inspired us. BAHA as we lovingly referred to him was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1987 at age 60. Parkinson's is a relentless disease that affects motor skills, speech and many other aspects of life. For the next 16 years of his life we watched in awe as BAHA fought with every bit of his gigantic heart to not allow the disease to affect his relationship with his family. He passed away at age 76 without ever giving up his will to live, learn and fight. Whether it was falling numerous times during a family basketball game, scraping himself off of the concrete with a big smile on his face and continuing to play or being able to withstand complete agony in his legs just to watch one of his grandchildren's sporting events. BAHA was more than a man to all of us, he was larger than life, he was our leader and our real life superhero.
In 1992, My Uncle Dave ( BAHA's eldest son) manufactured a bicycle for BAHA to ride with him across Canada. Because of BAHA's deteriorating body and health he was never able to do this. The bike has been sitting in Dave's massive garage for almost 20 years. We started talking about riding the bike across Canada in honor of BAHA during the summer of 2010. Splitting duties between riding BAHA's bicycle and our own three bikes, we are hoping to make the journey across Canada raising awareness and funds for another amazing Canadian and Parkinson's warrior Michael J Fox and"THE MICHAEL J. FOX FOUNDATION for PARKINSON'S RESEARCH."Our goal is to raise $1 for every kilometre the four of us rides as well as $1 for every kilometre Baha would have ridden, the distance and funds raised adds up to $40,075! The journey will start May19th/2012 and finish July 2012. Our grandfather BAHA led without words, he fought without a body, his spirit and heart were so contagious we know it will lead us from the Pacific to the Atlantic! To our guy BAHA! From the Bottom of our hearts this adventure is for you! Your Grateful Grandsons, Scott, Sean, Ross and Ryan Mackinnon |
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