A Whole New Meaning To Pro-active

Submitted by Barbara Pugh on Sat, 09/27/2008 - 04:13.

April 28th to July 16th, Glenn Fenster undertook an epic bike ride from Denver to Miami to raise funds for epilepsy research and charities. He also aimed to raise awareness of epilepsy along the way. What you may ask would drive anyone to do this? The answer is very simple. His passion is driven by the fact that like so many parents, his son Nyle was diagnosed with epilepsy.

Nyle was diagnosed as a toddler, he is now 14 and you only have to see the photos of father and son on Glenn's website to see how much this 47 year old father loves him. He describes the reasons for his ride with characteristic passion "Epilepsy is something my son has – not who he is. I ride to show my son and others that epilepsy should not prevent you from reaching for your destiny".

This has been the third time Glenn has undertaken the journey and hopefully he will have the courage and sponsorship to do so again next year. He continues to hope that by challenging himself he will inspire others to make a much needed difference in overcoming the stigma attached to epilepsy and ignite sufferers and their families to reach for their destiny.
He added an extra 2000 miles this year and this father's bike ride took in sites such as Calgary, Vancouver, Seattle, Los Angeles and Phoenix. He braved wind, rain, snow and stifling heat for a heart felt reunion at Power Smoothie in Aventura on the 16th {The photo's of this are also on Glenn's website!}.

Glenn is now training for next year's trip and raising sponsorship as well as supporting the Dance 4 Epilepsy scheme where dance teachers can help raise money for those dancers and aspiring dancers affected by epilepsy.

Overall I have to say reading through Glenn's blog and watching his progress, I cannot help but admire the dedication and passion he shows and his ongoing dedication to overcoming the stigma of epilepsy. Organisations that have benefited from this father's bike rides include the Epilepsy foundation and his final aim is to create a non-profit organisation called Destiny Maker.

Hopefully there will be many more bike rides as Glenn aims to raise one million dollars by 2010; he is currently at $84425!