Trent's Tanaka Trim

Back to raising awareness for Parkinson's... still on Twitter the other day, I randomly searched "Parkinson's Australia" to see what I could find - as you do!  That is how I came across the "Trent's Tanaka Trim".  He just started his trek from Brisbane to Sydney armed with a brush cutter! His beloved nan is struggling with Parkinson's Disease.  Rather than sit back and feel helpless (which is how you feel when Parkinson's is slowly but surely tightening it's grip on a loved one), he is putting his energy into action and walking to raise awareness and funds for Parkinson's Disease and depression.  Reading through his letter, I was a little emotional.   You can see why when you read his email to family and friends as to why he is walking ... link to the letter here.  His nan described her symptoms to him; how she can't sleep, how she can't eat, how she aches, how she has no independance, how she feels that everyone is looking at her.  Life has lost it's pleasure.  It was a reminder to me of how dad would feel.  He doesn't say as much to me, so I don't put myself in his shoes very often... but really... this disease is horrid!

I have been following the journey on Twitter and Facebook... and it was interesting to see the signposts as he walks down the coast.  Byron Bay, Lismore, Ballina... those are all places of dad's childhood.  I just thought it was neat that the Tanaka Walker is walking to raise money for Parkinson's and is walking through dad's childhood haunts!

Anyway.

If you wish to donate to his fund - Shake it Up Foundation (Parkinson's) and Beyond Blue (depression), you can do so on his Cause page here.  He is looking to raise $50,000 and has a long way to go.

Google link to the journey: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AqVb3f2i63WRdEM4eUtKYXZsbFhYSUVKUFBmV2hIcFE#gid=0

Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/TheTanakaWalker
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/thetanakawalk