Inspire Me (October 2003)

True stories, quotes and information on inspiration, leadership and kindness to provide hope and direction in your life.

Jesse's Journey

How far would you go for YOUR child?

In the late 1980's, Jesse Davidson was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a disease that affects young males and is usually fatal before their third decade.

His father, John, a local broadcaster at the time could not sit idly by while his boy gradually lost
the use of his body. He discovered that research dollars were desperately needed to find a cure.

What could he do to raise money and bring awareness?

In 1995 John, pushing Jesse in his wheelchair, set out to walk across the huge Canadian province
of Ontario, covering 2000 miles and taking months through wind and rain and stifling heat.

As the journey progressed, people began to notice this brave father and son as they trudged beside
the highway, never quitting. The sight of John pushing his wheelchair-bound son up some of the
longest highway uphill grades was unforgettable.

National newspapers, TV and radio carried their story and as they got closer to their hometown,
London, the donations began to pour in, and people flocked to the roadside to shake their hands,
shed a tear at the courage and offer encouragement.

When John and Jesse reached Ottawa, Canada’s' capitol, the Prime Minister was there to greet
them. When that journey- called "Jesse's Journey" ended, father and son had raised 1.5 million
dollars for genetic research into the causes of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

But John was not through.

He wanted to raise more research money. Scientists had told him of progress being made and that with more funding perhaps a breakthrough could happen, not only to stop DMD, but other genetic diseases as well.

John decided to walk across Canada , one of the largest nations on earth, a distance of well
over 5000 miles.

Jesse would watch from home as Dad left St John's Newfoundland on April 10 1997 and began his solo trek.

John was 52 years old. He walked 20 miles a day for 286 days. He walked on sometimes blistered
feet through late spring snows in Newfoundland through spring in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Quebec.

Stifling summer heat as he once again walked his home province, Ontario. Every where he went,
through small towns and cities, people stopped and waved and wept again...ceremonies were held
by countless Mayors and proud townspeople for this brave man as he walked on and on. Across
the endless prairies and into the winter: Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta.

Crowds of people, but especially school kids, having watched his approach for weeks on the
TV news, greeted him at every town, presenting him with their jars of coins.

Ahead, the Canadian Rockies...in December. God smiled on John and his small team as
they crossed the huge mountains... the cold was minus 20, but no snowstorms or avalanches
closed the roads.

Into British Columbia. By this time John's story was well known as he neared his goal, Victoria,
British Columbia. Canada’s' most westerly city.

Donations were pouring in from those who knew the pain of a sick child, who saw the courage of a
father who wouldn't be beaten.

In January 1998, in front of thousands of people, and a huge nationwide TV audience, he crossed the finish line, exhausted but happy.

Happy because he had raised another 2 million dollars for what was to be the Jesse Davidson Endowment Fund.

A special research laboratory in Ottawa is called the "Jesse Davidson Laboratory". The eventual goal through "Jesse's Journey -The Foundation for Gene and Cell Therapy" is to raise enough so that a million dollars a year can be endowed to research. They are well on their way.

Soon an event called "FUNdraising Friday for Jesse's Journey" (first Friday in April ) will be a national event, growing those seeds of support that John sowed on his brave walk. In his hometown FUNdraising Friday has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for research.

Both John and Jesse Davidson have received some of their provinces' and countries' highest honors. John has traveled the world with his wonderful story, bringing hope to DMD parents everywhere.

Jesse is 23 now and is a college graduate, working with his dad in the Foundation office occasionally. It is an incredible story of a father and sons' courage and determination, and positive thinking.

They have been an inspiration to people all over the world. You can read and experience both journeys at their web site http://www.jessesjourney.com/

John simply asks us "How far would you go for YOUR child?"
The Journey continues.

Handwriting on the Wall
By Author Unknown

A weary mother returned from the store,
Lugging groceries through the kitchen door.
Awaiting her arrival was her 8 year old son,
Anxious to relate what his younger brother had done.

"While I was out playing and Dad was on a call,
T.J. took his crayons and wrote on the wall!
It's on the new paper you just hung in the den.
I told him you'd be mad at having to do it again.

She let out a moan and furrowed her brow,
"Where is your little brother right now?"
She emptied her arms and with a purposeful stride,
She marched to his closet where he had gone to hide.

She called his full name as she entered his room.
He trembled with fear--he knew that meant doom!
For the next ten minutes, she ranted and raved
About the expensive wallpaper and how she had saved.

Lamenting all the work it would take to repair,
She condemned his actions and total lack of care.
The more she scolded, the madder she got,
Then stomped from his room, totally distraught!

She headed for the den to confirm her fears.
When she saw the wall, her eyes flooded with tears.
The message she read pierced her soul with a dart.
It said, "I love Mommy," surrounded by a heart.

Well, the wallpaper remained, just as she found it,
With an empty picture frame hung to surround it.
A reminder to her, and indeed to all,
Take time to read the handwriting on the wall