Bike Box Project

Last year I completed a 500 nm cruise around Pamlico Sound aboard my 17 foot sailboat. This year I thought I'd change it up and do something completely different. I've always wanted to do a River trip Huckleberry Finn style and what better craft than my trusty Core Sound 17 Mark 3 which will provide shelter along the way as I row downstream. It has been 11 years since I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. In the Rock Steady Boxing program we literally fight back against the effects of Parkinsons disease and this has played a tremendous role in helping me maintain my ability to continue going on adventures like this one. I thought it would be good to try to give something back again. Rock Steady Boxing is a non-contact, beneficial fitness class for people with Parkinson’s Disease that helps with mobility, coordination, flexibility, and voice projection in an upbeat, positive atmosphere ...surrounded by energetic and fun coaches and volunteers.

I hope to promote this latest adventure and raise funds to pass on to the New Bern chapter of Rock Steady support group which is part of the Michael J Fox Parkinsons’ foundation. Parkinson’s has been around for a long time and the rate of new diagnoses is ever increasing. There is no cure and there have been no real breakthroughs in fifty years, just treating the symptoms. Specialized and regular hard exercise is about the best that we have right now to slow the progression

-Graham Byrnes

Who is the beneficiary of this fundraiser?

The Bike Box Project of New Bern, NC

A Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donations are typically 100% tax deductible in the US.

Sailing for Parkinson's

On May 21, 2023, I will turn 80. I plan to do a celebratory cruise in my sailboat “Carlita” around the whole of the Pamlico Sound. A distance of 500 nautical miles. It has been just over 10 years since I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. I never expected to make it to 80, let alone still have the desire or feel fit enough to attempt this cruise. I believe that Rock Steady Boxing has played a big part in that. I thought it would be good to try to give something back. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause which means so much to me and follow my progress at www.sailingforparkinsons.org.

Rock Steady Boxing is a non-contact, beneficial fitness class for people with Parkinson’s Disease that helps with mobility, coordination, flexibility, and voice projection in an upbeat, positive atmosphere ...surrounded by energetic and fun coaches and volunteers. Check them out on youtube here.

My idea is to use social media to promote my “Sailing for Parkinson’s” cruise to raise funds and pass it all on to the New Bern chapter of Rock Steady support group which is part of the Michael J Fox Parkinsons’ foundation. Parkinson’s has been around for a long time and the rate of new diagnoses is ever increasing. There is no cure and there have been no real breakthroughs in fifty years, just treating the symptoms. Specialized and regular hard exercise is about the best that we have right now to slow the progression.

Trip reports and progress will be posted at https://www.sailingforparkinsons.org/.