Crossing Oz for Mental Health
Crossing Oz to benefit the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation, because cycling through the desert has got to be easier than battling a mental health condition!
Image credit: The Outback Way
What in the world am I talking about?
-Exactly as I stated above, I will be riding a bicycle across Australia from Cairns to Perth (possibly Perth to Cairns) in effort to raise money for a foundation which truly benefits everyone in this world.
How in the world will it benefit everyone?
One in four people in the world will be affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their lives (source: WHO 2001). The Brain and Behavior Research Foundation uses 100% of all donations to provide grants to scientists across the world to advance knowledge in the areas of:
ADHD
Alzheimer's Disease
Anxiety
Austism
Bipolar
Borderline Personality Disorder
Conduct Disorder
Depression
Disassociative Disorders
Eating Disorders
Fragile X Syndrome
OCD
Parksinson's Disease
Premenstrual Disphoric Disorder
PTSD
Schizoaffective Disorder
Schizophrenia
Schizotypal Personality Disorder
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Substance Abuse and Dependence
Suicide
Tourette Syndrome,
...and anything and everything else that affects the brain and behavior of human beings. When I say this foundation benefits everyone, it truly does, whether you are someone that is affected by one of these conditions or know someone that is. Like stated above, one in four people will be affected at some point in their lives, if it's not you suffering directly, consider those around you who may be suffering silently.
Why Australia?
If you know me, you know I have a passion for all things Australia, especially those cute marsupials that cover the continent! To me, this presents an opportunity to finally visit a place I have dreamed of since childhood.
-Another reason for choosing Australia is to serve another purpose for which I have a passion: wildlife. This journey, which I estimate to be near 3,000 miles from start to finish, could possibly have wildlife in need of rescue along the way. I have compiled a list of contacts along the route I intend to take, so that I can get any animals in need of assistance to the proper rescue center.
Finally, crossing Australia by bicycle will be an enormous challenge! Will I be taking the easy way and follow the paved roads around plenty of towns or cities? No way (ok, maybe a little)! I will travel diagonally through the country, through the Outback and the unique challenges it presents! For those interested to learn more, I will be traveling via The Outback Way ("Australia's Longest Shortcut"), which links Laverton, WA to Winton, QLD. This route is a project aimed to promote tourism and business travel across the country. I hope to be able to donate to the project as well!
Why did I choose to pursue this?
I have been diagnosed as having an unspecified mood disorder. This mood disorder has caused me and those around me a lot of frustration, pain, anger, suffering, and sadness throughout my life. From being undiagnosed, misdiagnosed, or treated with medications which did not work as intended or which came with unlivable side-effects, this has been and will continue to be the biggest challenge of my life. Crossing Oz will combine a passion for cycling, a passion for helping others, a dream of visiting the most unique place in the world, and a purpose I fully believe in.
Where is the money going?
The Brain and Behavior Research Foundation's Young Investigator grant begins with a $35,000 grant for one year which can be extended up to $70,000 for two years. The foundation also offers grants up to $100,000 for one year. I hope to raise a large amount for this amazing foundation!
Thank you for taking the time to read this, for sharing it with your friends and family, and for helping the world to become an easier place to live in for those affected by brain and behavioral problems! I appreciate any donation you can provide, whether it's $1 or $100 or even supplies! Just sharing this page would be huge! I can't wait to spread the word about this foundation which I wish I had heard of sooner!
What if I can't make the trip?
If I am unable to raise enough funds to support the trip, or if another factor, such as health, should keep me from being able to make the journey, all donations will still go directly to the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation!
To learn more about the cause and the route, please visit:
The Brain and Behavior Research Foundation
The Outback Way
