What Would You Do For Your Son?

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Added: Thu. Jul 24, 2008 11:20am
Posted in: Relationships - Family

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After 80 days and 8,000 miles Glenn Fenster can rest. Growing bolder with every mile, the ride was far from easy. There were times he wondered if he would survive. He had to fight just to continue. The same kind of fight his son faces every single day.

Nyle suffers from childhood epilepsy. You don’t know much about childhood epilepsy, do you? Either did Glenn. His 14-year old son knows far too much. He has a seizure every single day that reminds him how disruptive and devastating childhood epilepsy is.

When the seizures strike, all Glenn can do is watch. There’s no worse feeling than having to stand there helplessly watching. It’s not the kind of thing a father ever gets used to.

Glenn had to find some way, some thing he could do to help. He decided he would take it upon himself to spread the word, create awareness and raise funds to help researchers find a cure. Glenn has always been a can-do kind of guy. He’s been an inspiration to his son, so it’s no surprise his son inspired him.

Now, every year, with his son in his heart, Glenn climbs on his bike and rides off to attract as much attention as he can. In 2006 he rode over 4,000 miles. Last year he pedaled over 6,000. This year, his journey took him over 8,000 miles.

For large parts of his ride, Glenn is completely on his own. No followers, no onlookers, no crew. You’d think he’d be welcomed like a hero. More often than not, he is treated with indifference.

Still, there are people along the way who are touched by this man’s dedication to his son. They are affected by his passion for the cause and his drive to make a difference. They are motivated to help the children like Nyle live as normal and productive lives as possible.

GrowingBolder.com kept track of Glenn during his ride by reprinting parts of his daily journal.

He’s also been a guest on the Growing Bolder Radio Show. We’ve tried to help him achieve his goal of bringing childhood epilepsy to a new level of awareness.

As devastating as the daily punishment is to his body, the physical pain is nothing compared to the emotional toll of being so far away from his son.

When Fenster finally made it back home, Nyle was there to jump into his road-weary arms. It was an emotional scene someone managed to catch on video. You can clearly see a road-weary, wobbly-legged man nearly buckled from his son’s embrace. The only thing that kept him up was the strength of his heart. His hope is that his quest will touch your heart, too.

Watch the reunion by clicking the photo below.

 

Here is a reprint of his final journal entry from www.destinymaker.org

7/16/08 I slept little. Couldn't wait to get home. See Nyle. But first there was a 57 mile ride home. I went through towns such as Boynton Beach, Pompano, Ft. Lauderdale, Hallendale. So many memories lined the streets and reflections from glass. 24 years worth.

Finally reaching Aventura. I couldn't stop smiling. I am really home. I gave video camera to a woman who was standing there. Nyle didn't believe it but he sure starting running. I gingerly stepped out and the moment that had fueled the last month was at hand. My son and I together.

I will never forget how he ran over to me. He held on not wanting to let go. When he did want to let go I couldn't. He looks great. Almost as tall as me. I am home..

I couldn't believe I was here. I wanted to go slow. Savor the moment. I sure did. I was so glad for this to be over. I let out a huge yell with fist in the air.

It is done and I am the same. Finished. There is nothing left of me except my integrity and dignity.