Nooners - The Loneliest Road

NOONERS – THE LONELIEST ROAD

Miguel Gamez, "Nooners" to those who know him, was born 41 years ago with Cri du Chat Syndrome, which is a rare chromosomal condition which affects less than 70 newborns per year in the United States. This lack of the short arm of chromosome 5 causes a unique combination of many physical, developmental, and behavioral features, only some of which are limited verbal communication, skeletal problems, respiratory complications, and heart malformations. The very good news is that Nooners has great social skills, a sense of humor his family and friends embrace, a remarkable memory, and love of the outdoors. He is a very fun, kind, and loving person who brings friendship, laughter, and a huge smile to the face of everyone he meets. He enjoys many social activities, motorcycle riding, drinking beer (better than any of his uncles), and his summer camp, Camp Friendship in Annandale, Minnesota (TrueFriends.org).

Nooners’ uncle, Lee McClanahan, is making a motorcycle trip along Route 50 from Ocean City, Maryland, to Sacramento, California, "America’s Loneliest Road" in Spring 2017, and is dedicating this three-week, approximately 7,000 mile ride, to Nooners. The title "America’s Loneliest Road" was chosen because Nooners, in many aspects, lives a lonely life. He understands what is said to him but cannot carry on a regular conversation to share specific emotions and hurts. Instead, Nooners communicates through limited signs, his actions, most of which are hugs and smiles, and an awesome sense of humor!

The "America’s Loneliest Road" fundraiser is so that Nooners can attend a week or two at Camp Friendship this summer to enjoy some freedom and adventure from his daily routines. Unfortunately, he has not attended Camp Friendship for the past few years due to the cost, and we ask for your help to ensure Nooners can make it to the camp he loves again.

Lee will be taking pictures sunrise to sunset and filming as much as he can to share with Nooners. He would love to take Nooners on the trip, but the expense and care for him would pay for a lifetime of visits at Camp Friendship.

Anyone can join Lee in the late April motorcycle ride across the U.S. on this out-of-the way, historic road which will certainly have its share of interesting places and people, weather challenges, obstacles and of course, fun! Lee will have daily contact with Nooners so that he can enjoy the ride too. Videos/stills will be uploaded daily to Facebook at Nooners – The Loneliest Road. Please experience the ride with us!

The website for monetary donations and additional information can be found the Facebook link to Go Fund Me at Nooners – The Loneliest Road. There is also has a separate page if you care to donate for direct costs for the trip at Go Fund Me under Nooners – The Loneliest Road – Costs. Any monies not used for trip expenses will go to the trust as well. Any donation, cents per mile ridden, or a flat fee donation, that can be provided, including sponsors for advertising, would be greatly appreciated. All of the money raised will go directly to Nooners for camp. Any funds received in excess of the 2017 camp fee will go into a trust for subsequent summer camps for Nooners. Any items donated and not used on the trip will be given to the camp directly or, depending on the item, auctioned off with the proceeds put in the trust for his future summer camps.

All are welcome to the kickoff party to meet Nooners, the bike, and any local sponsors the weekend of April 1, 2017, in Hastings, MN. Time and location to be determined and will be posted on the Facebook page.

Nooners and his entire family thank you for helping to make many happy memories for him!