1999 GRANT TO CP RESEARCH TOTALS $22,000

Dr. Albright has recently completed a sabbatical in London where he studied CP movement disorders and wrote research protocols and grant applications. While there he helped put in the first baclofen pump at the Children’s Hospital in London. It was gratifying to be a part of that successful procedure.

Dr. Leland Albright, Chief of the Department of Neurosurgery at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburg

One of Dr. Albright’s long-term goals is to establish a national CP center in Pittsburgh. A first step in making this center a reality will be to bring in additional physicians, a neurologist and an orthopedist with expertise in and a commitment to CP research. The Pedal-with-Pete grant will assist in taking this first step toward the establishment of the center. The $22,000 grant is a result of funds raised through the 1999 Pedal to Make A Difference Bike-A-Thon, the "For Pete’s Sake, Let’s Have A Party" Gala, the Bike Event held by the Palo Alto County 4-H Council in Emmetsburg Iowa, and donations from many caring and supportive individuals. Pedal-with-Pete is grateful for all this support. The organization’s work is handled entirely by volunteers-there are no paid positions. Expenses have been kept at a minimum so that the highest possible percentage of each contribution can be given to research.

NEW VIDEO TO TELL THE PEDAL WITH PETE STORY

Bob and Luanne Becker are the principals behind BB Sound & Light. They are Emmy, Telly and Silver Apple award winning producers or documentaries for TV and radio. Bob is a fellow Lutheran West alumnus with Pete, and with Luanne, recently wrote and produced "Find Us Faithful", an inspirational documentary of the history of Lutheran education in the Cleveland area. They consider working on the Pedal-with-Pete story "a true labor of love and commitment" because they especially enjoy producing videos that are educational, inspirational, and promote fellowship and understanding between people. They began filming last year and will continue at the Bike-A-Thon in May.

For many years, United Cerebral Palsy has worked to accommodate the physical needs of families dealing with CP by providing support and counseling as well as toys, wheelchairs, etc. The uniqueness of PWP is the focus on donations for medical research to improve speech, gait, and spasticity along with the wonderful nexus of a disability and a sporting event. It is time to raise national awareness of and help for the CP population in a spirit of hope. Further, PWP would like to establish a national network across America to host Pedal to Make A Difference bike-a-thons in local communities. We view the video project as our means to this end.

Pedal-with-Pete will make the video available to churches, bike clubs and service organizations to introduce them to Pete’s inspirational vision. We are convinced that the PWP mission can succeed-should succeed. We believe the powerful, story-telling ability of the video will put CP research on the radar screen.
Susan H. DeFago, President

SPRING BIKE-A-THON TO BE MAY 20, 2000

Nearly 30 area businesses and individuals are already on board as Millennium, Titanium, Golden Spoke or Silver Chain sponsors. And many friends from across the country are signing up to "ride" with Pete as his Pedal Partners. "Partners" contribute a gift of $25 or more.

All registrations received by May 1 will be guaranteed a Pedal to Make A Difference T-shirt, and all riders are eligible for door prizes. Tickets for the drawing will be awarded according to the number of individual sponsors each rider secures-more sponsors mean more chances to win! Prizes will also be given for the greatest number of sponsors secured and the most pledge dollars turned in on ride day. One lucky winner will receive a pair of Cleveland Indians tickets!

The Pedal to Make A Difference ride features a 17-mile or a 40-mile route with refreshments and water (including home-made goodies!) available at a rest stop on the long route and also at the start/finish line at the Roy Smith Shelter.

There’s still time to register and/or become a Pedal Partner. Use the form below and mail to Pedal-with-Pete, PO Box 274, Kent, OH 44240. Questions? 1-800-304-PETE or e-mail: RidePWP@aol.com

REGISTRATION FORM

___________________________________________
Name
___________________________________________
Address
___________________________________________
City              State              Zip Code
___________________________________________
Phone

___ I will ride in the Bike-a-thon on May
___ I would like to be one of Pete’s Pedal Partners. Enclosed is my gift of $25.
___ I cannot ride--but here is my gift of $___

Bike-a-thon registration fee: $20.00

All riders must wear helmets and follow local traffic laws Registration by May 1 guarantees a Pedal to Make a Difference T-shirt.

Circle size:     S     M     L     XL     XXL

Amount enclosed: $ _____________

Mail with check to: Pedal-with-Pete, PO Box 274, Kent, OH 44240 ____________________________________________
I hereby waive all claims against Pedal-with-Pete, its sponsors, or any personnel for any injury I might suffer in this event. I attest that I am physically fit and prepared for this event.

____________________________________________
Signature
___________________________________________
(Parents signature if under 18 years old)

YOU CAN WIN A Cannondale Bike!

Pedal-with-Pete thanks Cannondale and Eddy’s for making this drawing possible.

Pete works with Physical Therapist Gail DeMaria at the Edwin Shaw Hospital for Rehabilitation in Hudson, Ohio

In a spinal cord injury, the spinal cord or large bundle of nerves that carries messages from the brain to other parts of the body is damaged. This causes the areas below the injury, which in Pete’s case is the neck at C1 and C2, to become weak or paralyzed. This injury often includes lost or decreased sensation below the injury level as well. Fortunately, Pete’s injury was incomplete, so he still has some muscle control and sensation below his neck. There are many similarities between a spinal cord injury and CP. Frequently, the person with CP has weakness and decreased sensation in all four limbs. In addition, with CP, tone is generally a significant problem. Tone is the pattern of stiffness in certain muscles or the muscles pulling in certain directions without the person’s voluntary control. This makes muscles hard to move and hard to control. A spinal cord injury sometimes involves increased tone.

Pete had problems with weakness and increased tone prior to the spinal cord injury. These problems were accentuated with the spinal cord injury. In Pete’s case, the right side is more severely affected than the left, and was also less functional prior to the injury.

Despite all of this, we are happy to report that Pete is doing very well in his rehabilitation program. In physical therapy, he is currently walking 100 feet with a rolling walker with someone standing by just in case he gets a little off balance. We anticipate that eventually Pete will be walking on his own. In occupational therapy, Pete is continuing to work on increasing movement in his right arm. He has also been working on being more independent with getting dressed. This is difficult due to decreased right arm movement, but overall Pete is able to complete this with minimal assistance.

Pete has now given us the challenge of getting ready for the Bike-A-Thon in May. He currently has difficulty moving his right leg enough to pedal consistently. But knowing "Peter the Cheater" the way we do, we will find a way to do it!

Gail DeMaria PT
Christine Falter OTR/L
Edwin Shaw Hospital for Rehabilitation - Hudson, Ohio