Ride Ataxia: Mother Grateful for Community's Outpouring of Support

A 17-year-old girl’s ride to find a medical breakthrough in the fight against Friedreich’s Ataxia inspired more than 300 participants to take part in the Ride Ataxia Chicago event recently in Channahon.

And Emily Young’s determination to meet her goal—to ride 12 miles—is just one more example of the courage she brings to the cause and uses to inspire so many others, not only in her hometown of Gibson City, but also throughout the region and across the nation.

“Emily did meet her goal of 12 miles,” said her mother, Becky Young. “We had over 100 people from Gibson City venture up to Channahon and either ride or volunteer for the event. It was truly an amazing day.”

The Ride Ataxia Chicago event was held on July 21 at Central Park in Channahon. More than $50,000 was raised for the Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance.

Young was able to go out-and-back on the I&M canal towpath in her longest ride since she was diagnosed with Friedreich’s Ataxia, a rare neuromuscular disease affecting 1 in 50,000 people. The progressive disease results in loss of coordination and usually a serious heart condition called cardiomyopathy.

Her mother sent a thank you note to Patch for publicizing her story and her efforts to help find a cure for the disease.

“Special thanks to Ron Kremer for the thoughtful article in the Patch that brough many new cyclists to the event and to The Bike Rack of St. Charles for providing excellent mechanical support for those cyclists on the road,” Becky Young said.

“And thank you to the Village of Channahon for welcoming us so warmly for another year. This year’s event marked personal-best distances for many of our riders, some of them living with FA.

“This is particularly significant because FA is a progressive neuromuscular and energy deprivation disease—making it even more challenging for individuals to travel long distances under their own power. Thank you for providing the setting for so many to achieve their personal athletic goals.”