Tim traveled 5,000 kilometers from Hoofddorp to his daughter with Usher syndrome

HOOFDORP – Tim Schroeder is the father of Elena, a 7-year-old girl with Usher syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that can lead to deafness and blindness. He took on an amazing challenge to draw attention to this disease and raise money for medical research. On March 7, he and a friend will embark on a 3,000-mile bike ride from San Diego to Jacksonville along the Southern Tier Bicycle Trail. The trek should be completed within 45 days. The target amount is 50,000 euros.

Usher syndrome is a genetic condition that causes hearing and vision loss. Tim Schroeder's 7-year-old 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.”

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.”
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.”

Donations
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.

You can donate via the link Fight against deafness

This is the second time that Tim has completed the cycle tour. Tim raised €25,000 by riding his bike from his home to Alicante in 2022.