Shaun’s Biking Across America

Not much phases me. The happiness of my son brings complete contentment to my soul. Bike treks have been his release. Giving him meaning. Something to work towards. Something that’s given him independence. Soul joy. Self confidence.

Shaun, in his young life, has been through and experienced a lot. Having a young mother has not been easy for him. Seeing my own struggles and being a part of them did tear him down. Yet, it has built him into the amazing man he is. Is becoming.

There was a lot of turmoil in life; Shaun’s biological father has never been in the picture due to substance use disorder. During the year of 2016 I had a spinal fusion and a dissolution of my marriage due to the addiction cycle, and what I perceived as my inability due to my own health issues, to keep the family “going”. The family that he knew was gone. The “parents” he thought he would forever had… dissolved. Guilt and blame was placed onto him for the dissolution of the marriage from people he had trusted. He had contemplated and attempted to take his own life to help “fix” mine. Not understanding that he was, and is, my life. My joy. My heart. My world. When he was hospitalized for SI, twice, for these mental constraints and soul crushing feelings he had felt… I was lost. He had an amazing team and lots of support to help him get through. I’ve worked hard to show him the joys of life throughout these losses. Life is, and will be, full of loss and gain.

Luckily, somehow, he learned of Teen Treks. After the first trek through the Great Allegheny trail at age 13…. He came back to me a different human. Full of confidence. Happiness. LIFE. His self esteem was so elevated. His soul was so elevated. He completed a 1,000 mile bike challenge from Chicago to NY in 2021 at age 15… again coming home to me full of life, joy and love.

This coming year, for 2023, he would like to journey across America with the Teen Treks group. I do not have the financial means to make this happen on my own. I haven’t been one to ask for assistance in life, but this is something I truly wish for my child. I’m hoping by sharing some of his story (with his permission), our story, and him sharing some of his story, we can raise the funding. Raise the awareness behind mental health struggles… and ways to overcome them. He has overcome so much in his short life…. Mental health issues are no joke. They effect all. Some stronger than others. His anxiety and depression still exist, he now has better tools to cope and manage through his days. Biking, especially with a goal in mind, keeps him motivated to keep moving… to keep going forward. And soar.

Information I am providing below is from WHO, the World Health Organization,

• Globally, one in seven 10-19-year- olds experiences a mental disorder, accounting for 13% of the global burden of disease in this age group.

* Depression, anxiety and behavioural disorders are among the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents.

* Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15-29 year-olds.

* The consequences of failing to address adolescent mental health conditions extend to adulthood, impairing both physical and mental health and limiting opportunities to lead fulfilling lives as adults.

In the fall of 2021, the American Academy of Pediatrics along with the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the Children’s Hospital Association declared a national emergency in child and adolescent mental health.

Social media plays a profound role in our mental health. Shaun had an Instagram account where he experienced a peer telling him to “just end his life” during his time of immense struggle. The school did what they could, I did what I could… but the comment to end his life wasn’t easily shaken by Shaun. As parents, we must be aware of what’s going on with our children. We must be aware of the multitude of stressors in our children’s lives. And how to help them manage through.

Biking has been an amazing tool for my son. I’m hoping to gain some support to help make this trek happen for him. Thank you all for listening, and contributing if able. I appreciate it more than I could ever express in words. Shaun does as well.

Thank you.

About the trek;

Trip Cost

$8,000

Travel cost to the Pacific coast;

Approximately $800

Gear and bike maintenance;

Approximately $1,500

About the Across America Trek:

Welcome to our most challenging trip!

Ride 3,800 miles across the U.S., through Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and along the Great Lakes to Niagara Falls. Then, follow the Erie Canal bike route across NY state to the Hudson River for a short 150 miles into NYC, ending the trip at Coney Island. We’ll see misty Oregon beaches and the Rocky Mountains, thick forests and the wide-open plains. We’ll camp, hike, and swim, stop in picturesque town squares and ride past some of the world’s tallest skyscrapers.

Across America’s northern route lets our bikers enjoy their summer travel experience, compared to (much, much hotter) southern cross-country routes. But don’t kid yourself –– you will bike close to 100 miles, some days, so you’ll need to be in good shape. When you ride into Coney Island and get that last ice cream of the trip, though, you’ll have the accomplishment of a lifetime.

Please contribute if you can in helping my son complete this accomplishment of a lifetime. I’m hoping by sharing his story and his trek, it’ll help others whom experience mental health struggles. Especially the young ones. There are ways to overcome. Tools to help. This is one that fills my boy with life. We are beyond grateful for you all.