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About me
I set up CMT bike to share my story and help other athletes with disabilities to share their stories.
I have CMT (Charcot-Marie-Tooth) Type 1x. This is the second most common of form of CMT. CMT1X often affects males more severely than females. I cannot pass the defect to a son, but I could pass it to a daughter. My daughter, if she is affected, has 50% chance of passing CMT1X to either her sons or her daughters.
Growing up I thought that I was just a clumsy person. I would fall and people thought that I was a druggy or drunk. I went to doctors and they could not find out what was wrong with me. It took getting married to my wife Janna to find what was wrong. When we were dating she was studying to be an occupational therapist. She practiced her muscles strength test on me. I failed the legs and arm part of the test. She felt that she was doing it wrong but in all honesty she started the ball rolling on getting diagnosed. It took seeing myself on the wedding video and how I walked and stood to go to a doctor. He sent me to a Neurologists, that is when I found out that I had CMT at 24 years old. Two years after my wife found something wrong. The other sign was the bilateral foot drop. CMT affects my lower legs also my lower arms and hands.
When I was first told about having CMT the doctors told me to chill out and take it easy. I asked if cycling was a good therapy. The doctor said light cycling no racing and no hard work. So I took it as some is good lots is better. I had already been training to do Bike Across Kansas. So the next week I did Bike Across Kansas for the first time. The following year I did Ride the Rockies in Colorado. I would like to do tour of Colorado sometime soon. I miss Colorado. I have done BAK Three times. Now it's all about cyclocross and triathlons. I am still a avid road cyclist and I race time trials. I try to get around 4,000 to 7,000 miles a year on my road bike. So I took the doctor's advice and changed it to what I would of liked hearing. Ride more! I feel that riding more has improved my muscle tone and improved my endures.
In 2010 I started my year off by doing a triathlon camp for Para athletes called Getting 2 Tri. I set a goal there that I was giving myself three years to build up to an do a Ironman. I would like to compete in the Florida full Ironman in 2012.I was able to meet some great people at the camp. I am proud to know the only triple amputee to finish the Kona Full Ironman Rajesh Durbal. He is one of many reason for my goal to finish a Ironman. I am inspired by his will.This year because of me wanting to do a tri, I started to try to get some stronger AFO's(Ankle Foot Orthotics). I have had a hard time finding some that can keep up with me. This year I have broke 4 Pair. I am hoping that I can get some that will be allow me to do the sports I love. This Dec. I will be having some made for me and with the understanding that I am not going to be easy on them. They will get used I am planning to finish Cyclocross season in them and also to train for my triathlon season I have planned for 2011.I am getting them from someone I met at Getting2tri's camp. He understands what kind of determination I have and what I can do. Floyd Brace is fitting me for the new AFO this Dec and I will have more info from the trip soon.I have chosen to be active, and I have a great outlet with cycling.
Thank you
Contact CMT Bike.com or leave a message for Doug
dougboltonphotography@yahoo.com
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