Father cycles 5,000 kilometers across America to draw attention to Usher syndrome

February 9, 2024 at 11:15

People

Hooftorp Tim Schroeder, father of Elena, a 7-year-old girl with Usher syndrome, is taking on an amazing challenge to raise awareness of the disease and raise money for medical research. On March 7, the father, who lives in Hoofddorp, will embark on a 5,000km bike ride along the Southern Tier Cycle Route from San Diego to Jacksonville with a friend. The trek should be completed within 45 days. The target amount is 50,000 euros.

condition

Usher syndrome is a genetic condition that causes hearing and vision loss. Daughter Elena was born with it. He currently wears hearing aids, but his hearing is expected to deteriorate further, and his vision will gradually deteriorate from the age of 10.

“It's something I can't accept,” says Tim Schroeder. “That's why I want this bike ride to not only raise awareness of Usher Syndrome, but also raise money for the Usher Syndrome Foundation, which is dedicated to medical research leading to a cure.”

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Tim Schroeder consciously chose the southern layer cycle route through America to reach a wider audience. “It goes a long way, and it can have an impact,” he says. “Also, I think America is a good country to involve local people in our story.”

Stick

To make the trip possible, Tim Schroeder enlisted the support of his father and a friend. “My father rents a car and drives us to Houston to support us. Then a friend takes over,” he says. “It will certainly help to give limited facilities on a long stretch of the route.”

Tim Schroeder is asking for community support and donations to help him reach his goal. “Every contribution, big or small, helps realize our mission to raise awareness of Usher syndrome and fight for a cure,” he added.