ASHTABULA TOWNSHIP —
Matt Eddy and his wheelchair are traveling America to raise money and awareness for people with disabilities.
Eddy, 33, of Lynn, Mass., passed through Ashtabula County Friday via Route 20 as part of his cross-country journey, also dubbed the “Million Smiles Tour.” Eddy, who has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, is making the trek to raise money to fight the disease and for his charity, Matt’s Place, which builds housing to allow people with disabilities to live independently.
Eddy also said he hopes to land a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records under a new category, “Trans USA by Wheelchair.” The trip began June 5 in Massachusetts and Eddy and his team hopes to reach Long Beach, Calif., by early October, he said.
Eddy is escorted by a bicyclist and followed by a van filled with the medical equipment he requires. The van also contains a battery to give Eddy’s electric-powered wheelchair a boost each night.
Team members take turns riding the escort bicycle. On Friday, David Lowd was Eddy’s pedal pal. The travelers set off from North Kingsville late Friday morning and hoped to reach Perry by nightfall. Eddy has logged an average of 25 miles a day on the hilly terrain between the East Coast and Ohio’s North Coast, Lowd said. The pace should quicken once the travelers hit America’s flatlands, he said.
“Maybe we’ll make 35 miles a day,” Lowd said with a smile.
Eddy was diagnosed with the disease when he was four, he said. At age 10 he lost the ability to walk, and now has only the strength to move two fingers, according to his Web site. He is confined to a wheelchair and relies on a ventilator to breathe.
The disease hasn’t dented Eddy’s adventurous spirit, however. In 2008 he made his first cross-country trip, a jaunt that took 119 days to complete.
This version is meant to earn a spot in the record book, plus collect cash to support Eddy’s charities. The goal is to collect one dollar from 1 million people.
So far, this trip has been relatively trouble-free, Eddy said. Heavy rain pelted the travelers at the start, but the team entered Ohio under blue skies and balmy temperatures.
The team tries to spend their nights at local campgrounds or at Wal-Marts that permit overnight camping in their parking lots, Eddy said. On Thursday night, the crew stayed at the Village Green Campgrounds in North Kingsville, accommodations arranged by Mayor Terry McConnell and Councilman Mike Mauro.
Folks along the way have been incredibly supportive and helpful, Eddy said. “People are going above and beyond,” he said.
Find more information about Matt Eddy and his cause at www.officialmattsplace.org.
Local News
Related Photos
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WARREN DILLAWAY / Star Beacon MATT EDDY (right) and David Lowd are riding from Boston to California. The pair made their way down Route 20 before heading to Lake County Friday afternoon.
Discussion
CROSSING THE U.S.A. IN A WHEELCHAIR
Man with MD makes county part of cross-country journey
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