| SCENE
| July 21, 2005| Send
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Pedal to the Mettle
Fraternity members cycle through
America to support people with disabilities
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| The Shorthorn: Photo Illustration:
Mark Roberts |
| UTA alumnus Travis Dusek, a
member of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, is currently
cycling across America with the philanthropic organization
Push America. Though he loves seeing the countryside,
Dusek said he now hates Nevada because the strong headwinds
can make the trip twice as long. |
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By Author
Contributor to The Shorthorn
Travis Dusek didn’t even own a bicycle
until December, but this summer, he’s cycling 4,000 miles
across America.
The UTA alumnus cycled his first mile across the Golden Gate Bridge,
beginning the Journey of Hope. The team cycled from California,
through Nevada and Arizona and arrived in Arlington on Monday. Upon
his arrival at City Hall, Mayor Robert Cluck declared it “Push
America Day.”
The journey is a part of Push America, an organization of 81 Pi
Kappa Phi fraternity members dedicated to serving people with disabilities
through fundraising and awareness. The fraternity, Dusek said, is
the only one in the nation that owns its own charity.
The ride has been an annual event since 1987. Dusek said he is the
second person from his chapter to participate as a cyclist in the
ride.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,”
he said. “It’s just a little bit of my time to change
somebody’s life. That’s the least that I can do.”
The organization has reached more than 75 million people and raised
almost a half a million dollars, 87 percent going back into the
community toward facilities for those with disabilities. He said
facilities apply for grants to receive new wheelchair ramps or updated
accommodations for people with disabilities.
In order to participate, Dusek was chosen from among 600 applicants
and required to raise a minimum of $5,000. He said he raised $7,000
through numerous fundraising campaigns.
“I see it as a blessing,” he said. “It’s
my way of sharing with other people the abilities of what people
with disabilities can do.”
History junior Brandon Harp, who serves as a public relations coordinator,
travels with Dusek as a part of the crew and has raised $2,500.
Harp said he is in charge of media relations and making sure the
team is in “tip top” condition for appearances. Being
on the crew, he said, he thinks all day, everyday.
“It’s our job to be leaders for them,” he said.
“Point them which direction they have to go.”
Throughout the ride, Dusek and Harp spend quality time with children
with disabilities by escorting them on friendship visits. While
in Arlington, they accompanied the children to Hurricane Harbor.
“We give them one-on-one attention in every single activity,”
Harp said. “It’s something they look forward to.”
He said they participate in a friendship visit almost every day.
“At first, you don’t know how to react,” he said.
“Then it becomes a normal part of your everyday life. It’s
so amazing.”
Dusek said that through friendship visits, children who don’t
smile very often get to smile.
“I didn’t expect to be blown away by these kids as I
did,” he said. “You really create a bond with them —
do whatever you can to put a smile on their faces.”
Leaving Arlington, Dusek will continue riding through Texas, Louisiana,
Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina and up to Washington D.C.,
finishing on the lawn of the White House on Aug. 13.
Riding in a pace line, one behind another, he said he averages 75
miles a day with an average speed of 18 mph. The most extreme route
was 130 miles from Abilene to Weatherford, the longest route in
the history of the Journey of Hope. Luckily, there is a stop every
seven miles, and the crew is there to provide encouragement, Dusek
said.
“Every day on the bike is a struggle, but you develop lifelong
friendships,” he said. “We’re always brothers,
but now we’re brothers on a higher level.”
Dusek said he battles knee pain to continue the ride.
“One thing that really encouraged me was that there’s
a kid at the end of the trip who would love to be out there,”
he said. “You lay down in bed at night, and you think about
that kid’s smile.”
Harp said the journey has given him a broader image, changing his
life.
“This has been a summer of a lifetime, and it’s half
over,” Harp said. “I didn’t know this was possible
for me. Yesterday I felt like I was 4 again and it was Christmas.”
Throughout the ride, Dusek said they have seen some amazing countryside
and met awesome people.
“I feel like I’ve gained 10 years of experience in life
just on the Journey of Hope,” he said.
Sandra Dusek said she never believed her son would take on such
a challenge.
“He actually said he would like to do it,” she said.
“I didn’t think he would. It’s quite a task on
your body.”
David Dusek said his son is continuously working and that he is
proud of him.
“The ride is the grueling part,” he said. “But
the activities they have planned for them are as trying as the bicycle
ride. It takes focus and determination to help this cause.”
Advertising junior Dustin Manko said he doesn’t think he would
attempt the ride.
“I don’t know if I could ride a bike across the country,”
Manko said.
Dusek does wish to continue cycling after the journey but not before
he catches up on some rest.
“I have big plans of sleeping and getting massages and things
like that,” he said.
For information, or to make donations to Push America, visit http://www.pushamerica.org.
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