Mr. Jun's Mt. Fuji & Marathon Challenge

Hello. I'm Junichi Kakutani, aka Mr. Jun.

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UPDATE

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I apologize for this late update.

Our Mt. Fuji climb was scheduled on July 16 - 17, 2024. However, it was cancelled due to bad weather… I was disappointed, but I take it like Mt. Fuji is telling me that I can still walk until next time. I’m not sure if I can try again next year, but I will go back!

My son and I thought it was funny to go to one of the shortest mountains in Japan (4.53m high) before we climbed the highest one. Here’s the picture.

We had a lot of fun in Japan. We visited Ise and Hiroshima.

We climbed Mt. Misen in Miyajima, Hiroshima.

I wanted to walk my favorite childhood place, Seiryu no michi on Sumiyoshi river, probably for the last time. I got to walk with my son.

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I started my 1st GoFundMe. (You can read it here.) I set the goal, and any amount exceeding the goal went to the National Ataxia Foundation. However, many people told me that even though they respected my cause, they would like to contribute to my challenges to climb Mt. Fuji and run (walk) the Honolulu Marathon. So, I started this GoFundMe, where all your donations support my challenges.

I wrote this in my 1st GFM page, but please allow me to explain why this is important to me again.

I was diagnosed with SpinoCerebellar Ataxia Type 6 (SCA6) in 2021. This rare disease affects the cerebellum, a part of brain vital to coordination of body movement and balance. I have difficulty walking, speaking, and swallowing, as well as double vision. This is a slowly progressive disease. I walk with a cane now, but I learned that I might need a wheelchair in 10 - 15 years.

There were a lot of things I wanted to do "someday". But I realized that "someday" I won't be able to. That was when I stopped saying "someday" and decided that "someday" is now.

One of my dreams is to climb Mt. Fuji (3,776 m and hence my first fundraising goal).

I was born and raised in Kobe, Japan. Mt. Fuji is the tallest mountain in Japan. The symbol of Japan is one of the most beautiful mountains in the world. I always wanted to climb it "someday". Now I plan to climb it in July while I can still walk.

My wife and our 14-year-old son will climb with me to support me. While we'll rent most of the equipment in order to save money, there is some gear that we need to purchase. Of course, there will also be travel expenses.

I'm a librarian at a small public elementary school in Fremont, CA. So, that tells you that we aren't exactly well-off. I'm aware that the goal won't be nearly enough for this journey, but it helps us tremendously. Every bit of support motivates me.

Here are some things that I have accomplished since the diagnosis.

I wanted to achieve the 1st degree of black belt in Kendo, a Japanese martial art "someday". Last year, I passed the Kendo Promotion Exam. And I just passed the Exam for 2 dan (2nd degree of black belt). I'm currently training for the 3rd degree of black belt at HSSK Kendo Dojo .

(Me, right #323, at the Kendo Promotion Exam for 2 dan)

I wanted to run the Giant Race "someday". I did it last summer. I walked, though.

I wanted to run a marathon "someday". I registered for the Honolulu Marathon (42.195 km = 26.37 mile; now you know why my goal this time is $2,637). I walked the marathon in December 2023. I heard that an 88-year-old man finished it in 17 hours and 50 minutes. So, my goal was to finish in 18 hours.

I finished the race in 9:46:20!

I recently started writing a book about my challenges to inspire other people and raise awareness of this disease.

My story on NBC Bay Area Proud, Nichi Bei News, Tri-City Voice, (follow-up story on TCV), and Hawaii News Now.

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National Ataxia Foundation means a lot to me.

NAF is the only foundation in the U.S. that is dedicated to finding a cure for all types of Ataxia. It offers a variety of support. One of them is informative webinars. My father has SCA6 and his symptoms appeared in his 60s. I was told I had a 50% chance to have SCA because it’s hereditary. When similar symptoms appeared to me in my 40s, I didn’t think it was SCA. I thought I was too young to have symptoms of SCA. Then I feared it might be something more serious. However, it turned out to be SCA. That was when I found NAF and joined. After attending one of the webinars, I learned that the average age for SCA patients to have symptoms is in their 40s and to need a wheelchair is in their 60s. I’ll be 50 next year, so I have about 15 years until I need a wheelchair! I decided to go places while I still can walk.

Also, as I had a 50% chance to have SCA, my son has a 50% chance. I want to make sure there will be a cure in case he has it. I’d very much like doctors and scientists to find a cure to save me from struggles, but I really don’t want my son to go through this. He’s aware that he has a 50% chance. He doesn’t talk about it much, but I can tell it’s always in the back of his mind. I want to make NAF’s vision “A world without Ataxia” a reality.

So, please consider donating to the National Ataxia Foundation.

Thank you very much. Have a nice day!