Keith Martin
Vancouver, BC
I was diagnosed with FSHD in 2005, and was devastated when I got the news. Very active as a young man, I virtually stopped playing my favourite sports because seeing the decline in my performance was too tough to bear. Two years later a friend approached me and asked if I would be interested in cycling across Canada with him – he knew I was an avid cyclist. I accepted immediately, and in a team of 5 young men we set out to cycle across the country – the Moving Muscles Ride. From Tofino, BC to St. John’s, NL, we endured long mountain climbs, heavy winds, and heavy rain as we traveled coast to coast, with the occasional perfect riding day thrown in. When in Tofino, we dipped one tire in the Pacific Ocean. Finally, after 85 days and 7,800km, we completed our journey and dipper the other in the Atlantic Ocean. An incredible thrill! Having fundraised for Muscular Dystrophy as a whole throughout the experience, we donated $10,000 of our total to the FSHD Research Fund in Canada. It was each rider’s honour to be able to use the experience to give to others in this way. Though life will throw challenges at you, it is in striving to overcome them that one truly sees what they are capable of. Make the most of it! And enjoy the ride.