Couple’s Ride Across America for Parkinson’s helps change lives along their journey

On their journey to increase awareness about Parkinsons disease, Roy and Lynn Roden found a happier, simpler life.

It was the trip of a lifetime and a trip that changed their lives. Roy and Lynn Roden rode their bicycles cross-country on a fourmonth, 5,000-mile journey from Seattle to Miami to raise awareness about Parkinsons disease and money to find a cure.

Roy, 55, who grew up in Pembroke Pines and Miami, was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease five years ago. Hes worked in the fitness industry for more than 37 years. He met his wife Lynn, who is now a personal trainer, when she was a client at Olympia Gym in Aventura.The Rodens are certainly not ones to sit around and let Parkinsons disease take control.

The couple began their Parkinsons Ride Across America last November with their two dogs in tow, riding in carriers behind them. Their route took them along the Pacific Coast Highway in California and then through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and finally, to Florida.

The Rodens return home was a brief pit stop on their continuing journey. They were back in the area just long enough to pack up their Airstream with lifes necessities, and then move west. They sold most of their belongings before their four-month bike trek and bought the camper, which was driven by family members and friends and served as their safe haven.

We got rid of the penthouse and the Porsche, and traded it all in for a simpler, stress-free lifestyle, said Roden. When you get a disease, your priorities change. Its not about quantity of things and whats in your bank account; its about the quality of life.

The Rodens will live in Wesport, California, during the summer and work at a KOA campground where they stayed on the trip. Theyll spend the winters in Tucson, Arizona.

The two places we stopped for longer than a day during our trip are the two places we plan to call home for now, said Roden. Westport is simply beautiful. And, we met some amazing people in both places.

In Tucson, the couple met Becky Farley, Ph.D., a researcher, physical therapist, neuroscientist and Parkinsons exercise specialist who founded Parkinsons Wellness Recovery (PWR), a wellness center for Parkinsons patients. The doctors motto at PWR is: We believe people with Parkinsons can get better and stay better with exercise.

Dr. Farley is looking to expand her facility and take her exercise program nationwide, said Roden. I will serve as a consultant, and Lynn has become a certified instructor and will also assist with marketing.

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Couple’s Ride Across America for Parkinson’s helps change lives along their journey