It was 1995 and John Davidson of London had an idea.
He was going to push his son Jesse–in a wheelchair because of Duchenne muscular dystrophy — across Ontario to raise money to fight the disease.
The elder Davidson says his son thought he was “nuts” but eventually bought into the program because they were going to raise money for research.
They hoped to raise 100 thousand dollars.
They raised 1.5 million dollars.
John Davidson was in Port Elgin last Friday to speak at the annual Paul Harris Award Dinner put on by the Port Elgin Rotary Club.
Davidson told the crowd anything is possible if you put your mind to it and Jesse’s Journey proves it.
He says although Jesse passed away almost two years ago, they continue to raise money with 12 million dollars in the coffers which is used as seed money to fund research into the disease that affects primarily young boys.
Davidson says boys afflicted with the disease are usually in a wheelchair before they’re a teenager.
He says Duchenne’s is unforgiving.
He says there are no survivors but boys are living longer now — into their 20’s — because of research.
Davidson says he is proud of his son who stuck it out for 124 days across Ontario to raise the initial funds for research.
Now, Jesse’s Journey is a major source of funding for Duchenne researchers around the world.
The Paul Harris Award Dinner also recognized four local residents who have given back to their community in myriad ways.
Award winners this year are: Joyce Scammell; Bob Lunney; Mark Kraemer and the late Jim Little.
