food

health

the scene

sports

travel

e

Extra
ILE

LESLIE ZACK
Student Intern

IV

ith three weeks left, Ian Panter searched frantically for
a bike, a helmet and $1,500.
Through his fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi at Central
Michigan University, Panter had heard of Gear Up
Florida, a 750-mile bike tour that teaches awareness of living with
disabilities. Because he has learned to deal with Tourette's syndrome
as a permanent part of his life since the age of 7, he decided to chal-
lenge himself by participating in the 14-day bicycle
trip from Miami to Tallahassee.
Panter, 19, of Oalc Park, decided last-minute to
ride, so had gotten a late start on preparing for the
trip. He wrote an e-mail to friends and family
explaining that after dealing with his own disability
for so long, it was time to go out and help others.
Although Panter's illness is mild, he takes medication
to decrease his symptoms. Thanks to donations, on
May 12 he began his 750-mile trek.
Saturn, a major sponsor of Gear Up Florida, pro-
vided six station wagons and two vans for the six-person crew. All
team members were from Pi Kappa Phi chapters around the country.
The fraternity brothers brought the message of Push America to
12 Florida cities in two weeks. Push America, Pi Kappa Phi's philan-
thropy, was created 20 years ago to improve the lives of people with dis-
abilities by service, volunteerism, education and awareness. Push
America holds two programs, Gear Up Florida and Journey of Hope.
The latter lasts 2 1 /2 months and rides from California to Washington,
D.C.. Panter hopes to work as a crewmember next year, and eventually
ride in Journey of Hope. For now, he is very proud of his Gear Up
Florida ride.
During the tour, waking up at 5:30 a.m., having breakfast and
being on the road by 6:30 a.m. was the easiest part of the team's day.
They averaged 60 miles per day, but the first day's 105 miles were
discouraging. Panter knew the opportunity would be a challenge.
Because he was uneasy about how difficult the tour would be — he

had never ridden a bike before and feels fulfilled after helping others
— he considers it "a life-changing experience."
Each day, after riding five miles the teams would stop for a snack
provided by the support crew, then continue riding with a buddy.
Every day, the team arrived in a new city for a friendship visit.
People with disabilities, ranging in age from 14-55, were waiting.
Sometimes the people and the riders went to baseball games, other
times to water parks. The team members loved each moment. "We
put aside the disabilities," said Panter, "and bonded as friends." The
hosts told the team, "We wait 364 days a year to see you guys!"
The Gear Up Florida riders visited four high
schools on their trip to the Florida capital. Panter
believes it is important to inform and teach children
about people with disabilities. He remembers being
ridiculed as a child, and wishes his tormentors had
understood that how he acted was the fault of his
disease.
In order to teach in a fun way, the team presented
"kids on the block" puppet shows. Girl and boy
puppets in wheelchairs interacted with the team.
Panter also participated in "empathy training." Team
members placed gloves on the audience and asked them to button
their shirts. When the audience found this difficult, the team
explained that this was how life was for people with Down syn-
drome. People with disabilities are not able to take off gloves and
continue on. Audience members were also blindfolded and given
canes. The exercise showed how difficult a disability could be.
After visiting 12 cities and riding 750 miles, the team was
"escorted by 25 police cars on the way to the capital. It was incredi-
ble," Panter said.
With an uncountable number of flat tires and devoured gra-
nola bars — and no serious injuries, Panter and his fraternity
brothers not only became closer to each other, but were happy
about inspiring and helping others. "Fraternities try to bring a
little good to the world," Panter said, "and after this trip, I can't
be sad ever again. I look at one picture from the trip and have a
story and a smile." ❑

Ian Panter and
his fraternity
brothers spread
awareness
and smiles.

6/23
2000

101