This page is dedicated for my work colleagues daughter Zoe, who was born with a rare congenital condition called Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) Doctors and Zoe’s family were unaware of the condition until last July when a sudden bleed from the AVM caused Zoe to have a stroke.

She was rushed to Starship hospital where she underwent brain surgery and remained in a coma for 2 weeks. Neuro surgeons removed the AVM in one of her four life saving operations while in Starship for 5 1/2 weeks. Zoe was left with paralysis of her right side and impaired speech. Zoe and her family, who live in Glenbrook then moved to the Wilson Centre in Takapuna for 7 1/2 months for an intense rehabilitation programme.

Zoe has had to learn to eat, talk, start to get up on her feet and try to regain the use of her right arm and hand. Zoe requires help in all everyday tasks i.e. dressing, sitting, rolling etc. As she is only young there is a fair chance of recovery as much of the function in the brain is still mapping and connecting.

To give Zoe every possibility of this, it takes an amazing amount of physio and other specialised activities i.e. riding for disabled, swimming lessons etc. This also needs to go on at an extensive pace for the next 5 years and most probably for the rest of her life.

My name is Paul Becker and I am a member of the Akld Mtb club. I will be riding the 1100km Kiwi Brevet, 4 - 12 Feb 2012, aiming to raise some funds for Zoe continual recovery.

This is an actual event called the Kiwi Brevet and you are not allowed any outside organised help.
Rider’s progress can be watched live on the website as everyone carries gps tracker. The event starts in Blenheim and heads south as far as Sheffield, heading over Arthurs Pass to Reefton, St Arnaud, Nelson, Picton and finishing back in Blenheim. Terrain covered is a mix of back country gravel roads, forest sections and some highways to link it all together.

My bike will be equipped with front and rear racks, loaded with enough gear to survive 8 days, tent, sleeping bag and mat, 1 change of clothes and enough food / water for each day. This will be replenished as I pass through the towns, hopefully they are still open when I pass through.

So if you are keen to help Zoe and sponser me .01c per km a total of $11.00 or whatever you like, it would be much appreciated by Zoe and her parents.

If you could please send your pledge via email to heck12@xtra.co.nz, (my email address) we will keep a register and send you Zoe's bank account details to deposit the money into after the event.


On behalf of Zoe thanks for your support.

Paul

Saturday, 11 February 2012

The End is Nigh

We are on the last section of this Epic voyage. I say we as this house has been following his every wiggle.

I mentioned that the aim for last night was Nelson, but that would leave too much to do on the last day so the troops (3-4 of them and hardly any strength left to be called troops) stayed in Havlock last night. They rode in a Peloton formation and had only just 15mins to book their nights stay and order dinner.

Day 7

So today is all about pushing for Blenheim. The end. Keen for it to finish. Legs are like "wood".

There is one last slog though the Port Underwood road, which on google earth doesn't look that intimidating but according to the dude who finished the ride in 3.5 days!! "it's a Slog".

As I am typing this PB is moving along alright....maybe he's found some inner spring.

I found out more about the crash on day 2. Sore legs (both) shin and a swollen ankle. Nothing like starting a 1100km ride with a few damaged limbs. Must get some photos of the Santa beard before it gets taken off too.

The last push across the hills
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1 comment:

  1. Annie11 February 2012 at 13:34

    So proud of you, what an amazing effort xx

    ReplyDelete

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