Team Fox member Emily Johnson grew up with a father who loved to hike. For 30 years, Tom Wise would visit Wekiwa Springs State Park in Apopka, FL, for daily exercise or to prepare for larger mountain climbing trips (he has climbed mountains on all seven continents). Since Tom was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in January 2006, Emily has seen her dad hike less and less. Now, she says, “he is no longer able to hike in this park.” On September 23, 2012, Emily and her husband, Rick, hiked 13 miles in Wekiwa Springs State Park to honor her father and to raise funds for Parkinson’s Research. In doing so, she has raised nearly $3,800 for Team Fox, all of which will be matched by the Brin Wojcicki Challenge. After the hike, her father sent her a letter to share what her efforts meant to him and how they have inspired him. An excerpt from the letter is below; the letter to which he is referring can be found on Emily’s Team Fox page.
“When I read your brilliant letter for the third time the sentence ‘He is no longer able to hike in this park’ really grabbed me. Your words pointed out what I was missing by not walking in this park I love so much. Your words motivated me to try walking in the park. I had nothing to lose. Three weeks ago I walked about 2.5 miles and thought I would die. Two days later I awoke and I said to myself that I bet I could walk the 5.3 mile trail I had pointed out to Rick and you. After one hour I was very tired but still motivated. After two hours I was really tired but I figured all I had to do was keep walking slowly and I would finish. Well I figured wrong. When I hit the 3 hour mark I was almost gasping for breath and my legs were seizing up. I had my cell phone and called your mom who picked me up at marker two. She dropped me off at my car and I drove home. An hour later I felt well and instead of feeling bad for not finishing (I only needed 0.9 miles) I was motivated to start training and come back to hike the 5.3 miles. I have walked almost every day for the last 2 weeks, my endorphins are up and I am excited about my new challenge that I owe to you and your words in the letter.”
To all those who have inspired someone with Parkinson’s or to those with Parkinson’s who have been inspired by a loved one, tell us your story in the comments below.