My name is Carl Ames and I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in early 2008 at the age of 46. My wife, Leisa, and I are parents of 5 children, and currently have 2 grandsons. At the time of this writing, January 2014, it has been 6 years since my diagnosis, and what a 6 years it has been!

First and foremost, I want to say that I am very grateful for Leisa and for her love, support, and patience for me, as well as to our children and grandsons. I know that this PD challenge coming into our lives has not been easy for any of us but we are strong, and we are supportive of each other, and we will do all that we can to carry on in a positive manner.

Early on I discovered that exercise and moving was my very best way of feeling better with the challenges PD brings to my body. I am very active in cycling, having rode many miles since taking up cycling, and rode my first 100 miles in one day this last summer as I rode with the Friends for Phinney, a cycling team going cross country raising awareness and funds for the Davis Phinney Foundation. I have been involved with 2 other cross country cycling for PD awareness teams, the first being my friends from POPS Ride, the Stutzman family, as they rode from Florida to San Diego, and the second being Roy and Lynn Roden, as they rode from Seattle to Miami. All three I have made lifelong friends and have great memories to cherish.

In addition to cycling, my exercise includes hiking, yoga, swimming, and gym workouts. I strongly endorse exercise and the power it brings to our ability to carry on.

I am grateful for the opportunity I have had to get involved with a wonderful PD community and have made many great friends and been involved in various events, activities, and one on one interaction with many.

I am grateful for the awesome Baehr Family for taking me and my family into their lives and the positive approach that they have taken to encourage themselves and others to conquer PD by creating the Baehr Challenge for us to participate in. I encourage everyone to support the Baehr Challenge by coming out and participating or making a donation.

Thank you Brian, Kaye, Matt, Preston, Riley, Patricia, Chris, and everyone associated with the Baehr Challenge. I love you all and look forward to many years of being involved with your family in this most rewarding event.