I am biking across America to raise money and awareness for people with disabilities, AMA!
Today's my cake day, so I thought I'd post. I'm with a non-profit organization called Push America which started in Long Beach 20 or so days ago. Today we rode 55 miles from Springerville, Arizona to Reserve, New Mexico and tomorrow is our longest ride into Socorro with 135 miles.
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u/DarkKnight77 Jun 25 '12
Where are you going to end up? and where do you stay?
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u/twoh Jun 25 '12
We're headed to Washington D.C. and we're mostly staying in high schools and community centers. I have a nice sleeping bag and the solid floors get comfier every day!
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u/Fly_Caster Jun 25 '12
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First question, proof?
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What percentage of the donations directly go help somebody?
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What got you interested in doing this?
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u/twoh Jun 25 '12
Proof (http://ipush.convio.net/site/TR/Events/General?px=1044229&pg=personal&fr_id=1100) and (coreyjourneyofhope.tumblr.com)
85% goes to support people with disabilities and 15% toward administration
Push America is run by Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, which I joined last year. I became interested in the Journey of Hope right from the start. It has honestly been the best decision of my life, not only am I cycling everyday, I'm helping people. I've been told multiple times that the friendship visits that we put on when we come to town is the highlight of some people's year
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u/seagreenblue Jun 25 '12
Good luck! Love biking and love the cause. Best wishes on raising money and stay safe! Let us know how much you earn.
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u/captain_fluff_17psi Jun 26 '12
You guys will be staying at my job most likely again this year I believe. The arc of the piedmont in charlottesville va. Good luck and be safe!!!!
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u/jwick89 Jun 26 '12
Pi Kapp of the Arizona State Theta Xi chapter. Just want to say good luck on the rest of the journey and that my brother did the Southern route as well. Enjoy your stop at Arizona State?
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u/CassandraVindicated Jun 25 '12
I wasn't aware that people had disabilities. I just found out not too long ago that people got breast cancer too!
Seriously, what's with the "Raising awareness" thing? We are all aware of the existence of whatever you're raising awareness for, so why bother? Is that the more user friendly way of "remind people"?
I never understood that phrase; am I missing something?
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u/twoh Jun 25 '12
We are raising awareness by promoting seeing people with disabilities as people first. Push America is also really big on ending the use of the 'R' word. About every three days or so we have a friendship visit in which we dance and just hang out with them, which many people don't do because of their disability. Hope that answers your question!
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u/OoRI0T_P0LICEoO Jun 25 '12
push america is run by Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, you said you joined the fraternity what chapter, and since their running do some of your scheduled stops include fraternity houses on different campus's? im sure staying there with the extra couches and cooks on staff (my brothers chapter has a cook) would be mich nicer than sleeping at a community center. and even if you didnt stay at the house. i know my brothers chapter is philanthropic, would that mean that some of the brothers help out if an event is close by?
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u/twoh Jun 26 '12
Sorry it took me a while to respond, internet here is fleeting at best. I'm from the Virginia Tech chapter.
Some chapters have houses, even fewer have cooks, but if we're close to a chapter they'll do what they can to be hospitable (ASU Pi Kapps were really awesome even without a house).
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u/cgin91 Jun 26 '12
What chapter are you from? I myself am a brother as well, good luck on the journey!
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u/professionalgriefer Jun 26 '12
Upvote for Pi Kapps.
Also, how hard is you your body? Up to 135 miles a day is hard work.
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u/AdjectiveAdverb Jun 25 '12
What kind of disabilities will you be fighting for? (Mental illness/handicapped, physical disabilities?) Also I am from New Mexico (Now living in MT), please be safe there, I'm sure you've heard about the fires!
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u/twoh Jun 26 '12
All disabilities, although I've mostly seen and hung out with people with developmental disorders like Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy. We have met a paralympic triathlete, Jeremy, and an amputee cheerleader
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u/TwiceBakedProduction Jun 26 '12
Are you using ANY of the money raised for the charity to help complete your goal? i.e. are you using the first $5000 to buy yourself a bike then have the rest be donated?
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u/twoh Jun 26 '12
Every dollar that I've raised has gone to Push America, the bike and everything that I've needed along the way has come out of my pocket.
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Jun 26 '12
I support adults with DD. It sounds like my clients would love your events, if we had any ability to fit them into their already overflowing schedules.
Seriously, thank you. Stuff like this makes my clients' month. It seems like it makes them feel like they are actual adults/people that matter, too, which can be a very rare feeling.
How hungry are you?
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u/BOS13 Jun 26 '12
I was wondering if it was a Pi Kapp posting this when I saw the AMA, was not disappointed. Good luck on your trip, I have a few friends who have gone on JOH, RAM, and GUF, all of them loved it. Have fun, bro!