Bikeathon planned by family friend

By Diane Graff of the Daily Times staff
Thursday, July 24, 2008 12:05 PM CDT

While a little boy recovers from hundreds of seizures, his friends are planning to hold a fund-raising bikeathon.

“The members of this community have a perfect opportunity to demonstrate compassion and community bonding through helping a local family in need,” friend Lori Clark said.

Clark, of rural Reeseville, is organizing a bikeathon for Joshua O'Brien of Watertown, the son of John and Christine O'Brien.

Joshua has been at the University of Wisconsin Hospitals in Madison since March 2 when he suffered from several seizures. Because doctors did not know the cause of the seizures, Joshua was put into a medically induced coma and placed on a ventilator.

Although he is now breathing on his own, he will have to relearn life's basic skills at the age of 5. “I can't imagine going through this,” the friend said.

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At the time of the seizures, Joshua was a kindergarten student at St. Henry Catholic School. He was unable to complete his school year.

“The family has gone through a multiple of roller coaster dilemmas with Joshua's health,” Clark said. “This has been a long road,” she added about his recovery.

The family is living day-to-day at this point, keeping a vigil at the hospital for their oldest son, while tending to two younger children at home. In April, Christine gave birth to the couple's daughter in Watertown.

“Joshua is making huge improvements, but the financial strain on the family has made things very difficult,” Clark, who is a teacher at Douglas School, said. “I think more people need to help people,” she said. “This is someone from our community.”

Clark is planning a bikeathon from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at Riverside Park. It would be open for children between the ages of 3 and 12. Children would be asked to obtain pledges and then ride a course set up by the organizers of the fund-raiser.

Wellness is also a theme of the fund-raiser, Clark, who is a biking enthusiast, said. “I think you should feel good helping others.

“It is not a race,” Clark said. “It is to help a child in need,” she added. “My heart has been breaking ever since it happened.” Clark is also the mother of three children, about the same age as the O'Brien children.

One of the goals is to have Joshua attend the bikeathon and see the support of the children. Clark said she hopes to draw between 300 and 500 children to the event.

A silent auction is also being planned at the upper pavilion of the park.

Clark, along with friends Sadie Ring and Melissa Prochaska, are planning the fund-raiser, but are in need of sponsors and volunteers for the event. To volunteer or to donate, contact Clark at (920) 988-3019.

To donate money to the family, a fund has been established at Chase Bank of Watertown.