8th February 2012

A MOTORCYCLIST is due to leave Bridport today on a road trip to the other side of the world.

Building contractor Rob Booth is taking a five-month long motorbike journey across the globe to “find himself” after suffering from depression.

The 46-year-old was inspired by a similar trip taken by movie star Ewan McGregor in the TV series Long Way round.

Mr Booth will ride more than 12,000 miles to his home in Wellington, New Zealand after attending his daughter Christina Wareham’s wedding.

The route will go across Europe, through India, China and Australia.

Mr Booth said he was relaxed about taking the journey, which he is using to highlight Dyslexia Action and depression in men.

The dyslexia sufferer said: “I’m off to find myself. I’d suffered with depression and wanted to stop the world and get off but rather than do that I’m going to ride around the world and find out who I am and challenge myself.

“I’m quite relaxed about it and I suppose I’m looking forward to the first time I fall off and see my new bike sliding down the road and have my heart broken. 

“Then I’ll pick myself up and get on with the rest of the trip.

“But there’s nothing I’m worried about because it’s all part the challenge. 

“It’s the bad times I will look back on with fondness, the times when I was swearing and cussing and regretting ever starting, but that’s the whole point  - the challenge of it.”

Mr Booth is a keen motorcyclist and used to compete in motorcross competitions as a youth.

His BMW GS1200 Triple Black adventure motorbike cost £15,000 and will weigh around 300 kilograms when fully loaded. it is a similar bike used by mr McGregor in his TV series.

Mr Booth said: “the show really did inspire me and also left me wanting to know more, there was a lot of stuff they didn’t tell you about the experience. But they had back up, I won’t be having any of that. It’s just one man and two wheels.”

Mr Booth said he had wanted to complete the adventure for two charities but had chosen Dyslexia Action after suffering with the condition since he was a pupil at Woodroffe School in Lyme Regis.

He said: “I choose that charity because I wanted to do it for a cause close to me and, because I didn’t get any help with it, I wanted to raise awareness for people who have.

“also I want to raise awareness of depression which is one of the symptoms of being dyslexic.”

Mr Booth will upload his current location, photographs and videos of his adventure on spotadventures.com – his tag is 1man2wheels. 

You can also follow him on facebook.com/pages/Robs-way-round

 If you would like to sponsor Rob go to justgiving.com/1man2wheels or text UKNZ80 followed by the amount you would like to donate to 70070.

PICTURE: Rob Booth prepares for his five-month adventure across the globe to find himself after suffering depression

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Baltimore, MD (PRWEB) December 28, 2011

There is evidence based support that re-focused nutrition, exercise, and healthy emotional coping strategies may play roles in maintaining optimal health while living with Parkinson’s Disease and other neurodegenerative disorders like multiple sclerosis. in fact, there is widespread interest today in brain healthy nutrition and how to protect and enhance neurologic function, particularly as we age. “Take Charge of Parkinson’s Disease: Dynamic Lifestyle Changes to put you in the Driver’s Seat” is an unusual how-to book for anyone on the journey of living with PD, from the newly diagnosed to those like author Anne Cutter Mikkelsen’s husband, Mike, who has lived vibrantly with the disease for decades — and for anyone interested in brain-healthy nutrition.

Loss of control underscores this disease that impacts more than one million people in the U.S., their carepartners and families, and the sixty thousand newly diagnosed each year. “Take Charge” espouses making the most of what we can control: what we eat, how we choose to think about our circumstances, and what we bring to our relationships. Read reviews and praise from persons with Parkinson’s and PD and movement disorder health care experts, including the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center, the Brian Grant Foundation, and the Struthers Parkinson’s Center.

Classically trained in French cooking, author Anne Cutter Mikkelsen is a Parkinson’s carepartner to and advocate for her husband, Mike. A Master Gardener and writer, and former restaurateur and bed and breakfast proprietor, Anne presents more than 80 of her own original recipes and menus that combine a wide variety of anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, nutrient-rich ingredients, and culinary herbs and spices known to favorably impact the brain.

Powerfully, Anne tells the personal story of how she and Mike – an award-winning potter and sculptor – learned to live vibrantly since his 1993 PD diagnosis. the couple wishes to help cut the learning curve for others facing down a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis. According to Anne, food has been her most effective tool in her quest to create an atmosphere of optimism and anticipation for “whatever is coming next” through the stages of Mike’s PD.

Mikkelsen, who studied cooking in Provence, France at L’Ecole des Trois Gourmandes with Simone Beck, co-author of Mastering the Art of French Cooking I and II, also is a former TV cooking show personality. in her “Take Charge” recipes, Anne uses familiar ingredients and introduces key ingredients – among them, “curcumin,” a component in the spice “turmeric,” heavily researched for potential neuroprotective properties, and the piney-scented herb, rosemary, shown to improve circulation and stimulate the brain. Family chefs and foodies alike will be comfortable and intrigued with the culinary and, preparation techniques, and brain healthy pantry stocking recommendations.

Chapters of practical information about Parkinson’s Disease is supplied by contributing writer, Carolyn Stinson, on symptoms, difficulties with diagnosis, risk factors, loss and depression, denial, stress, and research at the Cleveland Clinic on potential neuroprotective and symptom management benefits afforded by certain types of exercise.

The metaphor in the book’s title is compellingly personal, too — “putting you in the driver’s seat.” Anne and Mike know that PD will always be there, along for the ride. however, they have mastered living a good life, relegating Parkinson’s to the back seat as just a passenger. beyond that fitting metaphor, Mike also happens to be a lifelong collector and creative restorer of automobiles, including the beloved Dodge D-19 Luxury Liner convertible he has owned for six decades. in early 2012, Anne and Mike as co-authors will publish a prequel of sorts to “Take Charge” — “The Dodge: Guts, Glory, and Living at full Throttle” – that recounts the intertwined life stories of Mike, Anne, and the Dodge.

“Of all the Arts, I return to the lure of the automobile— those with a history, a character and a host of idiosyncrasies, which I desperately want to know and cater to. I’ve recently learned that a car is capable of much more than transportation.” E.A. Mike Mikkelsen.

The accompanying video clip depicts Mike and the Dodge joyfully returning home from gathering holiday greenery for the Mikkelsen home.

Anne is also the author of “From Both Sides of the River: A Family Portrait,” also published in 2011. Both “The Dodge” and “From Both Sides” can be purchased at annecuttermikkelsen.com. “Take Charge of Parkinson’s Disease” is available from Amazon.com, in bookstores, and at annecuttermikkelsen.com.

Read praise, reviews and excerpts of “Take Charge of Parkinson’s Disease” at annecuttermikkelsen.com.

“Take Charge of Parkinson’s Disease: Dynamic Lifestye Changes to put you in the Driver’s Seat” ISBN 13: 978-0-9823219-3-5 A DiaMedica Publishing Guide to Optimum Wellness (2011) available from Amazon.com and in Bookstores

Read the full story at prweb.com/releases/parkinsons/optimalhealth/prweb9025660.htm

I haven’t written in awhile but I wanted to update you all on how I’m doing on the SCD!

So, I have just past the 8 month mark on SCD! I am so happy and proud of myself that I have made it this far. the journey to where I am now hasn’t been fun or easy, but I am happy to report that for the past 3 months I have NO symptoms. I experienced a pretty bad flare when I got back from South Africa in November. it lasted about 3 weeks. during those 3 weeks, I was pretty depressed, I just wanted to get better. I must note that the flare wasn’t as bad as it was pre-SCD. I went back to SCD basics (easy to digest foods and soup) and in 3 weeks I was back to normal! during that flare I also started acupunture twice a week. I really feel that this helped me as well.

I went to Jamaica at the end of December after the flare was over. it was pretty easy staying on the diet while I was there, I ate alot of FRUITS AND VEGGIES! I didn’t drink at all which was the most difficult thing for me. but I still managed to have a great time and feel great as well!

Its been 3 months since have seen blood and mucus! I am pretty regular going about 2-3 times a day mostly all solid! I couldn’t be happier. thoughts of UC no longer control my life. I feel free and in control.

With regards to missing food, obviously its hard sometimes when you crave something that you cant have. but I always remind myself that no food is worth the pain in the ass (literally) of Ulcerative Colitis.

Yesterday I was sooo happy. my mom made me butternut squash fries and chicken wings. I actually felt normal and enjoyed every bite of my dinner!

I know alot of you out there are struggling with UC. I read the stories all the time and feel sad because I know how bad it can be. I wish everyone found success using the SCD but I know that’s not the case.

Currently I am still on Salofalk tablets. I also take a SCD probiotic everyday and go to acupuncture once a week. I have a followup appointment with my GI next week. I am curious to see what he will say about my improvement.

I am a lil worried that I will see the 9 month flare that Elaine talks about in BTVC. now that I look back on it, I did have a mini flare at 3 months and another one at 5-6 months like she predicts. I am hoping that I skip the 9 month one!

I also think alot about the future and how long I will stay on SCD. since it has worked so well with me I sometimes feel that I want to stay on it forever! I am only 25, so that is a LONG time! I know for sure that I will not go back to the way I was eating before!

I wish everyone happiness and health. This support group has really helped me get through the good times and the bad times. it reminds me that although UC sucks, it doesn’t have to be the end of a happy life for us. it could be the beginning of a new and improved life like it has for me

Jessica’s story is now entered into the 2011 Ulcerative Colitis Writing Contest!!! You Can Join too, click here for details

For more information on the SCD and ideas on how to give it a try, visit the Diet Page