The JMMS Ride for MS - Worldwide
 

Hi, my name is Johan Marais. In 2007 I was diagnosed with progressive relapsing Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The last couple of months I have been going through a tough patch as I am now wheelchair bound 24 hours a day.

I have always been an up and going person, and to be in this wheelchair is not easy for me. (As for everybody else that lands in a wheelchair). Not only the part of learning what I can and cannot do in the chair, while performing common tasks like getting onto a sidewalk, but also the part of accepting and asking help from others.

I have set off to spread awareness and to raise much needed funds for Multiple Sclerosis South Africa

On Friday the 29th of January 2010 (my birthday), I will embark on a worldwide ride for MS on a customs motorcycle designed to host me and my wheelchair in the driver’s seat without any support vehicle or support team.

The first leg will cover Africa with over 28 000 km to ride.

Then of to Europe, to cover more than 22 000 km.

After Europe, I will take on Asia for more than 31 000 km to ride.

Then the United States Of America with more than 28 000 km.

And then of to Central America, South America and Australia with more than 31 000 km combined

I will be going to more than 193 capital cities worldwide, covering more than 140 000 km or 87 000 miles, getting each and every State Presidents (and Governors) signature in support of The JMMS Ride for MS.

The estimated time frame for this ride is between 16 to 20 months. That is up to 20 months away from my family and friends in foreign countries, where I would encounter problems like language barriers, navigation issues, on-road problem solving, the weather, pot-holed roads and miles of dirt tracks, PLUS my current state of MS to deal with.

If you would like to assist in anyway way, maybe send a link of this forum to your friends, family and co-workers. Maybe ask your boss to get in contact with me to help with assisting in any way possible. As you can imagine the JMMS Ride for MS will cost a great deal and I still need a substantial amount to be able to cover fuel costs, daily living expenses (accommodation), flight and custom fees.

This will be no holiday for me, in fact, I know that I will suffer a great deal as I'm taking on some of the world’s hottest countries and many desserts as high temperatures and MS don’t go hand in hand.

Please be sure to invite your friends from the biker communality to join me in these two world record attempts.

Make sure you visit the JMMS Ride for MS website often to see my progress and to follow my blog.

The website is Johan Marais Multiple Sclerosis
You can also contact me on Skype: johanmarais2

Kind Regards

Johan Marais