In an earlier article, we shared with our readers a bit about Brian Johnson, a 37-year-old man from Alabama, who has Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and his plans to do a motorcycle ride called Nationwide Ride for Life this summer.
Okay, we can all agree, a long motorcycle ride is great. What makes this ride remarkable is the fact that a man with CF is even attempting a journey like this. To understand why this is an undertaking of extreme courage one has to understand exactly what CF is.
Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited genetic disease that affects over 30,000 children and adults in the United States alone with 1000 new cases being diagnosed each year. CF causes the body to produce a thick, sticky mucus that makes patients easily susceptible to lung infection and disease. In a video on his website, Brian discusses this and explains it in terms that we gear-heads can understand. He likens the clogging of the airways in the lungs to a dirty air filter on a car or motorcycle; an engine just doesnt run as smoothly with a dirty air filter.
As one would imagine, CFs manifestations in the lungs are many. "The key to budget travel is to prepare in advance. When it comes along to family trips, globetrotting, well-deserved holidays and/or going to see new spots we have never been before, the fact of expense and budgeting is often in the back of our mind. Arranging and consuming our travel budget correctly is a concern for most families. Minimizing expending and costs, while still delighting your vacation to its fullest, is the key to assured accomplishment and fiscal liability. Your pocketbook and family will thank you! The reasoning behind saving money while touring is simple: Even if your personal finances is really limited, you can still take a break and enjoy life! Simply put, life is just too short to never step out of the door or leaving the homestead! Also remembering that while traveling, regardless of whether on a budget or not, even the smallest of things can all add op to a big vacation or travel charge!..". These include susceptibility for bronchitis and pneumonia or even complete respiratory failure.
Cystic Fibrosis also causes many digestive problems (most CF patients take pancreatic enzymes to help break down nutrients) including appendicitis and GERD; liver problems; gallbladder issues such as biliary cirrhosis; arthritis and osteoporosis; heart problems; pancreatitis; and insulin deficiency.
CF also causes a high rate of infertility in adults and especially in males with the disease. Child bearing is not typically an option without some form of assisted reproductive technology. In fact, during an interview with Brian, he was completely open and willing to discuss his own problems with infertility. He and his wife, Christie, were able to conceive with the help of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF); their daughter Hayden is now three years old.
Advancements in the treatment of CF allow patients to live longer than in years past. Currently the median age for survival is in the mid 30s with many living into their 40s and 50s.
Brians foundation, CF Riders, offers direct help to others suffering from CF and to their families. This includes helping to fund scholarships for college (45% of the CF population is now over 18), expense money for parents as they stay in hotels near where a child is receiving medical care, and expenses related to infertility.
We hope you continue to follow along with this story here on Examiner.com as Brian continues his preparations for the Nationwide Ride for Life which leaves Birmingham Alabama on April 15th, 2011.
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