Parkinson’s Warriors

In this space, we will spotlight some remarkable events that are coordinated by outside parties (“third-party” events) that benefit the Parkinson’s Association of San Diego.

For example, consider the incredible, 2,650-mile odyssey that Bart Switzer will embark upon in April, 2013.

Bart grew up in the small Iowa town of Independence on a family farm. Larry Price lived on a neighboring farm and was a classmate of Bart’s from elementary through high school. Larry with his wife, Judy, lived, worked, and raised a family in Independence. Bart and his wife, Vonnie, recently visited Iowa to attend Bart’s 50th high school reunion with Larry and Judy. Parkinson’s disease had become an ever present reality to Larry, who was diagnosed more than a decade ago. Judy is now his care partner. On the flight back from Iowa, Bart and Vonnie began to envision turning Bart’s dream of riding the Pacific Coast Trail into a fundraiser for Parkinson’s disease to honor Larry while helping patients and family members who are coping with Parkinson’s.

Bart will start his journey aboard his horse, Emmett, in Campo, California near the Mexican border and end his trek in the state of Washington at the Canadian border in August, 2013.

En route, he and Emmett will cross the Mojave & Anza Borrego deserts, the Laguna Mountains, San Bernadino-San Gabriel Mountains, Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Cascade Range and Siskiyou Mountains with elevation changes ranging from 180 feet to 13,200 feet above sea level.

For more information on how you can support this wonderful cause, please e-mail mallma1940@gmail.com.