VIDEO: CMT Larry leaves for walk in support of GBS/ CIDP

[Guest guest]

VIDEO: Larry leaves for walk in support of GBS/CIDP

(below is the print story, go to the link and click on Video to watch the walk

underway) If you're new to in the last few days, go back to last week or

the week before posts on Larry's Walk. He has CMT and also has the 2 additional

disorders.

http://www.durhamregion.com/dr/regions/durham/story/3935173p-

4547342c.html

Apr 5, 2007

By Hatfield

DURHAM -- Supported by his walker and the friends by his side, Larry

O'Leary set out on the journey of a lifetime Tuesday.

Mr. O'Leary, 68, is attempting to walk from the Bowmanville Town

Hall to the to Delta Airport West Hotel in Toronto.

He said his walk will hopefully raise awareness and maybe some funds

for the rare diseases Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) and Chronic

Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP), the latter of

which he suffers from. The disease of the peripheral nervous system

causes gradual weakness and loss of sensation in the arms and legs.

" I don't know how far I am going to make it, " Mr. O'Leary said. " But

this isn't about me, it is about the 588 other people out there with

this disease. "

Walking with him for the first portion was Don Sturrock of

Bowmanville, who was diagnosed with GBS in 2001.

" I don't think I will be able to walk with him every day, but I am

here to support him, " Mr. Sturrock said. " I hope he does well. "

Also there to see Mr. O'Leary off was Meg Goard, a representative

from Durham MP Bev Oda's office, and Parrott, from the office

of Durham MPP O'Toole.

Mr. Parrott read a letter from Mr. O'Toole aloud for the people

gathered at the Town Hall, which said he will be with Mr. O'Leary in

spirit.

" If you would like to send me a letter regarding your suggestions

for public policy in support of persons with GBS/ CIDP, I would be

pleased to forward it to the attention of the minister of health and

long term care, " Mr. O'Toole wrote. " I would also be pleased to

draft a petition to be read in the Ontario Legislature in support of

the GBS/ CIDP campaign. "

Mr. O'Leary's final destination is the national conference for

GBS/CIDP, to be held on April 21.

" I have an official permit here and I will continue to go as far as

I am able to go, " Mr. O'Leary said.

He's travelling along the south side of Hwy. 2.

" Hail, rain or snow, I will be out there, " he said.

For more information about Mr. O'Leary's walk or to make a donation

visit www.larryswalk.com.