The Michigan Line: The “Big Push” gets underway in the Motor City

The “Big Push” gets underway in the Motor City Media Interview

The “Big Push” gets underway in the MOTOR CITY

My adventure started in Michigan. I wanted to see Detroit – the nation’s fattest city – early on. It was in this first major stop that I caught a glimpse of the press attention that would become such a big part of my journey, and of the caring and concerned people that made everything worth the effort. I met some who were concerned for their families, and called in to radio shows to ask questions.  Others drove out to my route to catch a glimpse and offer encouragement.  I learned in those first couple of weeks why the problem can’t be solved in Washington – it’s too personal, affecting the lives of each and every family from shore to shore.  But I also saw hope, even in one of the most unfit corners of the country. People want to live better, healthier lives.  They just need someone to show the way.

KEVIN’S PERSONAL JOURNAL

Dora and I’s first stop was to ABC news in Detroit, named the fattest city in America at the time. Every year it seems there is a new “fattest city”. My own city of Houston held the dubious honor at one time. I hope my tour will help transform America and we will be done with fattest cities. I yearn for “most fit cities” and “healthiest living” cities. It CAN happen. As a motivational speaker and Paralympic athlete I’ve seen dramatic change and miraculous dreams come true. All it takes is determination, inspirational faith, a never give up attitude and the will to make it happen.

We arrived at 6am for the morning show. After the morning show with ABC news we went to FOX for the 7:30 am interview with FOX TV. It went great and we continued on to Mexican town/Detroit at the base of the Ambassador Bridge. I could see the Ambassador Bridge from the Fiesta Gardens in Mexican town/Detroit, MI. Canada is on the other side of the bridge. I received a proclamation from Mayor Kilpatrick of Detroit, which was presented by Maria Elena Rodriguez. I also received a letter of support from City Councilman President, Pro Tem, and Kenneth Cockrel, Jr.

11:30 A.M.- The Mexican Town and Detroit Police departments gave me an official send off with police escorts. As I entered a new suburb, the crowds were so large that they were drawing television coverage from news helicopters overhead. It was surprising to see the amount of support.

As I made it out to the open road, I thought about how the Motor City was even more geared up from the Pistons winning the NBA Championship and how the city was buzzing with excitement. All the Detroit residents, from the city to the suburbs, were out in full force. From thousands of fans in the street cheering on their winning team to hundreds of policemen making sure that no riots broke out, this turned out to be an excellent place to start our quest for fitness and health and gave me the lift I needed to push on harder and stronger on the “Big Push” for health and fitness across America.

I pushed approximately 27 miles,  the P.D. in all the suburbs of Detroit provided great support. I stopped in a park and I spent that evening at the Baymont in Southgate, MI, our hotel sponsor for the tour. This is surely a great start to a long journey full of thousands of miles of road, cities, towns and schools that lay ahead.

As a top motivational and inspirational speaker and coach, Kevin Saunders, who is paralyzed from the chest down, shows kids, schools, teachers, and community and state leaders that anyone can get fit. As former Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger said, “Kevin’s broken body bears silent testimony as someone who has overcome tremendous adversity to get fit and beckons others to follow.”  Mr. Saunders, a world champion Paralympian and wheelchair athlete, will be carrying his message of health and fitness to thousands of schools across America.  Bob Richards, two-time Olympic Pole Vault Champion, said “One of the most heroic and valiant endeavors in sports I have ever seen is the effort and struggle of Kevin Saunders. I am inspired by his message in There’s Always A Way. He is not a dependent in this world but a thrilling contributor to this world…”