Wheel The North Relay to End Parkinson's

In 2020, my husband Lloyd Taylor was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson's Disease. We knew the diagnoses would change our lives, and through the pain and hardship of adjusting to our new reality, we never realized what a blessing it could be. Lloyd was forced to leave his job and retire in order to take care of his health. We hid the diagnosis from our children and family for two years, even as Lloyd's hand started to shake more and more visibly. It's estimated that up to 80% of those suffering from Parkinson's hide their symptoms and shrink from the world, and in the middle of isolation, we felt hopeless and alone. He became rigid in his muscles and could no longer run. His world was getting smaller. He would drop things and could not type, text or hold a spoon. Lloyd's only escape was bike riding. Slowly, he started to get stronger, more confident, and realized his way to cope with the disease and find hope would be by organizing a fundraising ride. With the incredible support of six friends, Lloyd will set out in August to bike the grueling Dempster Highway through the Yukon and Northwest Territories, across the Arctic Circle in some of the most intense conditions. My husband is not some kind of elite athlete, he still struggles with Parkinson's symptoms and has never travelled so far north in his life. His journey will spread community and connection to one of the most isolated places on Earth for those like him with one of the most isolating diseases.

We are looking to raise $40, 000 dollars to support the riders. The trip is self-funded by the riders and support team. Costs in Northern Canada can be high. Their primary costs will be the RV's to sleep in, the gas to power them 3,000 kms, food, and supplies for Lloyd and the six other riders, as well as donations for Parkinson's community programs up North. We hope that Lloyd's story and his mission inspires others to come out of the darkness of their disease, and your support will mean the world to our family and people with Parkinson's Disease everywhere.

Thank you for supporting Lloyd and his team.

Jane Craig