Cory Edward Stalling
Birthday: 06/25/2000
Cory is eleven years old and is in the fifth grade at Paxson
Elementary in Missoula, Montana.
Cory loves to read. He reads National Geographic from cover to
cover with full comprehension. He dreams of going to distant places, Africa is
at the top of his list because he wants to see exotic animals like elephants,
giraffes, hippos and lions to name a few. He is curious about other cultures
and languages and the ways people live beyond the United States. He plans to
become a photographer for National Geographic when he grows up. Cory is always
thinking about the adventures he will have when he grows up. He has done a fair
amount of travelling already, to Connecticut, Arizona, Washington, Ohio,
Oregon, California, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Minnesota and even Mexico; he loves to
go places.
Cory is a world-class animal lover. He always hugs his dog Mojo
and Snowflake the cat before he leaves for school in the morning. He can’t walk
past an animal without asking the owner if he can pat their dog and then he
asks the name, the breed, and many other questions before the pet and owner are
able to continue on their way. Cory participates in hippotherapy, or
therapeutic horseback riding, although he really wants to get out of the arena
and ride fast through the fields without anyone holding him back. He always
gives his horse a hug when he is finished riding and whispers his thanks.
Cory is an artist; he has notebooks filled with his pictures. Hand
him a pen and a piece of paper and he is a happy guy. Cory is a speller; he
placed fourth in the Paxson Elementary spelling bee this year. He has plans to
become a world class speller. Cory loves to laugh and is a little comedian. He
doesn’t like to get too serious and loves to joke around; his big smile is
almost always ready to appear. Cory is a storyteller; he writes wonderful
essays about his travels, his favorite pets, his favorite hikes, and the people
he loves.
Cory likes to hike, ride his bike, play tennis, play catch, and
swing in his tire swing. He sometimes struggles to do these things and he tires
easily. Cory was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy when he was eight
years old. After his diagnosis, Cory was prescribed steroid treatment which
reduced the falling tremendously, but it does not stop the progression of this
muscle wasting disease. Cory now
understands a little better why he is physically unable to do many things other
boys his age are able to do, but he does not let Duchenne stop him from trying.
Cory is an extremely tenacious, curious, and intelligent young man who just
happens to have Duchenne.
Arlen Hall is the first African American to head the tours
department at Adventure Cycling Association, the largest cycling nonprofit
organization in North America, head quartered in Missoula MT. For almost
fifteen years, Arlen has organized and led bicycle-touring trips for middle
school and high school students, forming a small non-profit in 1998 dedicated
to empowering teens through bicycle travel. Since 2006, Arlen has led several
tours for Adventure Cycling in his free time and assisted on countless others
including tours on the Southern Tier and the Underground Railroad bicycle
routes. In 2011, Arlen signed on as Tours Director for Adventure Cycling
Association’s tours department. He has crossed the country by bicycle four
times and has logged more than 40,000 miles on his saddle. Arlen now oversees
57 cycling tours nationwide.
In 2007, he was touched by those affected by Duchenne Muscular
Dystrophy and has turned his cycling abilities to help find treatments and a
cure for boys afflicted with DMD. Arlen loves to ride,eat, and have fun. He is
54 and has two adult sons, Chris and Brandon.
I was born on June 7, 1995 in Missoula Montana; I have lived here
all of my life (except one year). For my fourth grade year, my family moved
down south to Lafayette, Louisiana. Living down there was quite the experience
for me but it made me realize how lucky I have it in Missoula where you are
actually allowed to ride your bike to school. At the end of the year, we moved
back, partially because my mom received a job at Adventure Cycling Association.
When we got back to Missoula, my family as a whole began riding our bikes more
often, and from there my interest in biking grew. I have done one tour in
Colorado with my mom and dad, but nothing as amazing and life changing as this
ride will be. Through my mom, I have become kind of a bicycle activist, I try
to ride my bike wherever I can; plus my family does not even own a car. I have
wanted to bike across the country for some time and I couldn't think of a better
companion to go come with me than Drew Gottman. Through this ride, I hope to
show people that it is possible to ride bikes, or at least use some form of
alternate transportation, to go long distances, even if you are young. I also
want to spread awareness of Duchenne and even though these kids may not be able
to ride a bike on their own, I would like to ride for them. I am biking so that
one day, everyone will be able to ride.
Drew Gottman
I was born on April 13, 1995 in Greenville, South Carolina; however
I have been essentially raised in Missoula, Montana for most of my life. I am
currently a junior at Hellgate High School, and run for Hellgate Cross Country.
In addition to running, I love to bike, swim, and watch classic movies. I
decided to bike across the country when Mac Sullivan, my best friend,
approached me one day with the idea. Now, I prepare to ride for someone who
can't - Cory Stalling. Cory is an extraordinary 11 year old kid who is
afflicted with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy - a degenerative, genetic muscular
condition in which the muscles in the body break down. This also includes the
cardiac muscles, so a patient with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy usually dies
around 25-30 years of age. I hope that no matter how tired I am, no matter how
beat up I am, no matter how much I want to quit, that Cory can provide the
needed inspiration for me to continue.
Ty Miller
My name is Ty Miller. I am a 21-year-old college student at The University of Kansas studying Mechanical Engineering, with a concentration in Biomechanics. I have been an active member in within the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and am a volunteer counselor for MDA camp. Last year I rode as a Leader in Training for the 2011 JettRide, and will be returning again this year as a Leader. Mac and Drew contacted me about a month ago, as they were looking for someone to accompany them on their cross-country ride on behalf of Cory, spreading awareness and raising funds for the families and communities that have been affected with Duchenne. Because of my passion for biking and adventure, there was no way that I could turn down this incredible opportunity to ride almost 2,000 miles (not including the other 1,500 miles that we'll be biking for JettRide, too!) with these two incredible guys. I am more excited for this summer than for any other summer before, and I can't wait to see where it takes us, and the people that we'll meet along the way.
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