What would you do with your ability to walk if two people you loved were losing theirs?
I've been asking myself some version of that question for the past five years.
There are four siblings in our family.
Two of us have Ataxia.
Two of us don't.
My brother and sister are living with a genetic neurological disease that progressively takes away things most of us never even think about.
Walking. Using your arms and hands.
And eventually, even speaking can become difficult.
There is currently no cure.And then there's me.
I can walk.
I can run.
I can climb.
I can wake up in the morning and tell my legs where I want to go—and they take me there.
How often do we stop and realize what an incredible gift that is?
I've struggled with the question:
Why them and not me?
I don't know that I'll ever have an answer.
But I've realized there is another question I can answer:
What am I going to do with the healthy body God has given me?
I'm going to use it.
On October 8–11, I'll join 25 other hikers for the National Ataxia Foundation's 2026 Xtreme Hike, trekking across one of the most extraordinary landscapes in the world—the Grand Canyon, from the North Rim to the South Rim.
The hike itself will be approximately 24 miles in a single day.
And for me, those won't simply be 24 miles.
They'll be 24 miles for my brother and sister.
The same brother and sister who have supported me, encouraged me and walked beside me throughout my life.
Today, Ataxia has changed what walking beside me looks like for them.
So now…
It's my turn to walk for them.
And when my legs hurt, I'll remember why I'm there.
When the canyon feels endless, I'll remember why I'm there.
When my body tells me to stop, I'll remember something my brother and sister don't have the luxury of forgetting:
The ability to take another step is a gift.
But here's the part I've realized:
My brother and sister may not be able to walk these 24 miles with me.
That doesn't mean I have to walk them alone.
I'm asking you to walk with us.
Each participant in this Xtreme Hike is challenged to raise at least $10,000 in support of the National Ataxia Foundation's mission and those affected by Ataxia.
At first, $10,000 sounds enormous.
But then I started thinking differently.
400 people giving $25 = $10,000.
No one person has to carry the whole thing. Maybe that's exactly the point.
Those of us who can carry something… carry a little for those who can't.
Some of us can hike 24 miles.
Some can give $100.
Some can give $50.
Some can give $25.
Some can share this post with ten people.
Every one of those actions moves this mission forward.
Because I can't cure Ataxia.
I can't give my brother and sister back everything this disease has taken from them.
And I can't physically walk their journey for them.But I can use the body God gave me.
I can walk.
I can raise my voice.
I can raise awareness.
I can raise money.
And I can remind my brother and sister—and every family living with Ataxia:
You are not walking this road alone.
So I'm asking you for something today.
Don't just sponsor my hike.
Take a step with us.
Sponsor a mile. Sponsor a step.
Sponsor my brother and sister.
Sponsor a family you've never met who is facing an Ataxia diagnosis and wondering what comes next.
Whatever amount is meaningful to you, I would be deeply grateful.
And if giving isn't possible right now, please share this post. That's a step too.
Because maybe one share reaches someone who can help.
Maybe one donation helps move the mission forward.
Maybe thousands of seemingly small steps eventually lead somewhere none of us can reach alone.
Toward hope. Toward answers. And someday, we pray, toward a cure.
Until then…
Those of us who can walk, walk.
Those of us who can give, give.
Those of us who can share, share.
And all of us can help carry someone.
I'm starting with my brother and sister.
24 miles.
One day.
$10,000+.
Two people I love behind every step.
Will you take a step with us?