Is Dominic Shadbolt crazy?
Despite my trying to talk him down, he seems determined to ride across Canada.
You may already know Dominic Shadbolt. Dominic started and runs the YouTube channel The MSGuide for people with MS.
Dominic is a big proponent of lifestyle optimisation to manage MS. Last year, we came up with the crazy idea of him raising money for MS Brain Health initiatives by riding across Canada. He has set himself the ambitious challenge of raising $1 million to support global MS Brain Health initiatives. Despite my trying to talk him down, he seems determined to ride across Canada.
I was not convinced he could achieve this monumental feat because he is disabled, having had MS for 32 years.
Dominic acknowledges he is a competent cyclist, but this will physically challenge him. The effort will make him a superhuman! You can follow his efforts and pain via his YouTube channel.
His social media handle is #RC4MS, and his website is rc4MS.org. I delayed announcing his epic journey until he activated his JustGiving page for UK residents, which allows you to claim gift aid. In addition, you can make donations via the Brain Health Centre of the Rockies. Please check out his website to learn more about his efforts.
The money raised will be spent on global MS Brain Health projects. Dominic has formed a scientific advisory panel comprising himself, Prof Klaus Schmierer, Lisa Dalton, and other scientific experts to decide which projects to fund.
Dominic has already completed 1,055.14 km of his journey, which is close to 15% of the route. He has around 7,000 km to go, including cycling over the Rockies.
Dom, if you ever get to read this newsletter, I would say ‘vasbyt’. Vasbyt is a South African colloquialism that means to bite the bullet and be stoical and enduring. Good luck, I am genuinely impressed.
If you get a moment, please encourage Dom. I am sure he will appreciate it. And don’t forget to donate.
Thank you.
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Please note that the opinions expressed here are those of Professor Giovannoni and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Queen Mary University of London or Barts Health NHS Trust. The advice is intended as general and should not be interpreted as personal clinical advice. If you have problems, please tell your healthcare professional, who will be able to help you.
What a lovely post to get! Thanks for the info, Prof. Inspiring stuff that’ll get me on my bike tomorrow for sure.
Well... God bless this guy, even though he might be a little off his nutter!
It's not so much just a suspension of disbelief, but it's also a certain amount of courage in the face of obvious unfavorable odds and much difficulty, as well as probable obstacles and disappointment, to be able to take on such an endeavor, and with such zeal. Forgetting anything about money, I just want you to make it just to show it can be done, and for your own satisfaction to know that you did it yourself. Godspeed, sir!