Longtime friends hope to raise awareness about Parkinson’s disease while raising funds for an organization that helps people who live with Parkinson’s live well.
Lis Geraci, left, and Devan Mizzoni rode around Canandaigua Lake in summer 2014 and were excited to wear their Davis Phinney Foundation cycling kits on the ride. This shot was taken from West Lake Road. They plan to ride around 11 Finger Lakes in six days next month. PHOTO PROVIDED BY LIS GERACI
CANANDAIGUA — Lis Geraci and Devan Mizzoni may be traveling the world for school and career, but both 2009 Canandaigua Academy grads will return to their roots this August to launch a six-day, 411-mile bike ride around all 11 Finger Lakes.
Their purpose will provide the pedal power: The longtime friends hope to raise awareness about Parkinson’s disease while raising funds for an organization that helps people who live with Parkinson’s live well.
Lis Geraci, left, Dr. Anthony Geraci and Devan Mizzoni take a moment in the shade for a photo. PHOTO PROVIDED BY LIS GERACI
Now a Boulder, Colorado, resident, Lis Geraci works there at the Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s. Her job is to communicate the message exemplified by her father, Canandaigua resident and former chief of Emergency Medicine at Thompson Health, Dr. Anthony Geraci.
That message: With the right resources, tools and exercise, people living with Parkinson’s can “live well today,” she said.
According to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, as many as 1 million individuals live with PD, which is more than the combined number of people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS). Approximately 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with PD each year, Foundation statistics show.
Dr. Geraci’s first-hand experience with Parkinson’s is, in part, what prompted Lis and Mizzoni to tackle their Aug. 13-19 trek. He’ll be among those providing sound backup.
“My dad will be along to give support and water bottles and transport us from lake to lake,” said Lis. “He started our interest in biking, and he’s had us fix tires in our garage so now we know how to do it on the road.”
Mizzoni, who’s currently in Madagascar taking a break from graduate school at the University of Vienna, in Austria, will head back to Canandaigua in August and meet up with Lis for the first time in a long time.
“Neither of us have done this big a ride, and never more than one lake in a day,” said Lis. “With the challenges that people with Parkinson’s face, we wanted to honor the fact that it takes daily effort and inspiration to get up and go, even when it’s hard.”
It’s also the perfect marriage of exercise, fundraising for a great cause, and friendship-building experience, said Lis.
“I’m excited specifically to come back to this area,” she said. “It’s such a tight-knit community. And we don’t get to be together in Canandaigua often. We’re excited to see each other face to face and see our families. That hasn’t happened in a lot of years.”
The ride further emphasizes the therapeutic importance of exercise for people living with Parkinson’s.
“It can’t be reversed, and it can’t be cured yet,” said Lis. “But to slow the progression, to stem the decline, is helpful.”
Exercise can be neuroprotective, she said. And people can start today by walking to their mailbox or taking a bike ride.
“It’s possible to be an active participant in your health care,” said Lis. “It’s empowering, and it helps you live as well as you can today with the symptoms you have today.”
Dr. Geraci’s experience has inspired many, including his daughter.
“It’s exciting to see him take on new challenges,” said Lis of her dad. “Since his diagnosis he’s taken on new hobbies, he’s painted his whole apartment in colors I would never expect, has traveled a lot, and is able to take my phone calls and help me unclog my kitchen sink. It’s great to see him blossom in his personality.”
Paint colors are inspirational? They are when her dad passes over his former muted colors and goes for shiny gold, green and purple.
“He’s living out loud with his paint,” said Lis.
For her, the journey has included learning how to cope as a care partner or family member, and has taught her to focus on the important things.
“That means even when dad and I are able to go to Wegmans together and grab a sub, that small thing is a victory and we’re able to celebrate that,” she said. “Every victory counts.”
And speaking of Wegmans, it’s the one thing she misses most about living in the Finger Lakes. That and Abbott’s Frozen Custard.
“It’s a no-brainer,” she said. “Devin will take back Wegmans crunchy peanut butter and I’ll take back Wegmans fruit flats. It’s funny what you hoard when you don’t get it 12 months out of the year.”
What's one thing people need to know about living with Parkinson's? It’s that your life isn’t over when you’re diagnosed. Her dad’s living proof of that.
“He faces every day as a new day,” she said. “Yesterday’s challenges are gone, and today may have new challenges, but it’s time to wake up and start fresh. He finds a way to live well that day. While Tuesday went well, or bad, Wednesday is a new day with new potential.”
Geraci’s and Mizzoni’s August ride will be hot, “but it means that jumps into the lake will be a little more enjoyable,” Lis said. And every night they’ll lay their heads down somewhere in Canandaigua.
“Maybe we’ll go to Wegmans every night, who knows,” she said.
To support Geraci and Mizzoni on their fundraising trek, visit The Finger Lakes Challengepage at my.davisphinneyfoundation.org, and check back regularly for updates during their journey.
http://www.mpnnow.com/news/20160714/canandaigua-duo-will-pedal-411-miles-around-11-finger-lakes-for-parkinsons-awareness
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