Way to go District 7570 members in VA and TN! We've reached the $1,000 mark and let's keep it coming! Thank you for giving to Rotary PolioPlus in honor of Owen's Hike for Polio!

Thank you to WTAJ-TV and Morgan Koziar for covering this project!!

Thank you to DG John Anthony from District 7390 for interviewing me on your weekly vLogcast about Owen's Odyssey!

District 7570 Rotary members can donate here for Owen's Challenge. Your donation will count toward your personal /club goals for polio. Thank you!

Polio Survivor Story: Chapter 4

Deb Stambaugh delivers a chilling truth of her fight for survival at a young age. Her delivery makes the world around me come to a standstill. Thank you for sharing additional photos that assist in your storytelling.

Polio Survivor Story: Chapter 3

Thank you John Nanni for sharing your experience and support of the work of Rotary. Together we will make a polio free world!

Polio Survivor Stories: Chapter 2

Carol Furguson may be past 60, but going on 40. Having spent most of her life mis-diagnosed, she now has closure in knowing that her body is experiencing Post-Polio Syndrome. Her initial bout with polio was mild, by comparison to others, but now has completely dictated her mobility. But don't be fooled!

Carol is a hurricane of passion and enthusiasm who has founded the PA Polio Survivors Network. These polio survivors from PA, and from around the world, are on a mission to collectively inform the public with fact based information about the significance of vaccinations. Whether it be polio or COVID-19, no person of any age should suffer from a vaccine preventable illness.

I am happy to share a series that we are calling "Polio Survivor Stories". The individuals are sharing with us how polio has impacted their lives. This helps us, the general public, grow our understanding of the disease and why polio eradication is so important. Enjoy this first entry from Bill Peacock of Australia! Thank you for your testimony, Bill!

March 9th, 2021 is quickly approaching.
I am steadily preparing with regular hikes and ongoing communications with Rotarians throughout the Appalachian region. Updates will become more frequent as we approach the start date.

Remember my update from last week and my plans of insanity? They came true!
I successfully hiked from Seward, PA to Seven Springs Mountain Resort to attend the Rotary District 7305 Socially-Distanced Conference!

It was 43 miles in 19 hours. I started at 10:30pm the night before and arrived at 5:30pm before dinner. I paid to use the swimming pool and took a hot shower in the locker room before taking a dip (then showered again because 85 degree pool was too cold after the shower).

I was interviewed at conference and was the keynote speaker for the Saturday luncheon. Everyone was very supportive and I am excited to continue speaking to groups about the project as I continue to prepare for the Appalachian Trail this Spring, 2021!!

I'll share the interview once it is posted on youtube. If you use facebook, you can find it at https://www.facebook.com/cirotary/videos/250120893084724

This Friday, October 2, 2020, will be a full day of updates on the Owen's Odyssey Facebook page. I will be completing a long haul hike from Seward, Pennsylvania to the Seven Springs Mountain Resort on the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail (43 miles) within a 24 hour period. I am doing this to attend the Rotary District 7305 Socially Distant Conference. Be sure to check into Facebook often to watch updates.

What a fun experience completing the Ghost Town Trail Challenge, ultra marathon! 32 miles, slight incline, carrying my carbon fiber ukulele and 26lbs of gear, completed in 12.5 hours. The bike path is a hard surface and abused the same muscle groups. I've completed 33 miles before, but over 15 hours through the mountains, so the terrain demanded from different muscle groups. Overall, this was a great experience. Despite earning some gnarly blisters, next time I'll think better to tape my feet!

This Saturday, I will be participating in the local Ghost Town Trail 50K Challenge as a hiker. It goes from Blairsville to Ebensburg, PA for 31 miles.

I will be stealth camping the night before and carrying my pack and ukulele. Pics and video will be posted to my social media pages.

https://www.facebook.com/HikeForPolio

https://www.Instagram.com/hikeforpolio