Surfers to Sydney
Students get on their bikes for Cystic Fibrosis
For further information and to see daily video updates during ride (24 Nov to 3 Dec) visit www.cycle4cysticfibrosis.org
Physiotherapy student and Carrara resident Sommer Tuson has inspired about 20 of her colleagues to take on the physical challenge of cycling more than 900km from the Gold Coast to Sydney.
Ms Tuson, who will graduate with a double degree in physiotherapy and exercise science in December, has been living with cystic fibrosis for 27 years.
The disease, one of the most common inherited disorders in Australia, is caused by faulty gene that affects mainly the lungs and digestive system. Medical research and subsequent treatment advances over recent decades have greatly increased the life expectancy and quality of life for people diagnosed with the disease.
Ms Tuson said physiotherapists play a significant role in the daily management of the disease.
“Physios help people with cystic fibrosis to clear the excess secretions from their lungs with a number of manual techniques and breathing devices to open up their airways. They also help plan and encourage regular exercise programs,” she said.
Ms Tuson said growing up in rural Tasmania meant her mother was always driving her to dancing classes and weekend sports including athletics, netball and martial arts.
“My mother was very regimented in my treatment with physiotherapy and medications and by keeping me really active. I am lucky to be so well at my age.“
While she says her childhood exposure to physiotherapists may have subconsciously influenced her choice of profession, it was also a desire to make a difference in other people’s lives.
“I also found my health deteriorated with a sedentary job working in an accountancy firm and studying commerce so I made a change.“
Ironically, Ms Tuson is on her final clinical placement at the Mater Children’s Hospital but cannot treat young patients with cystic fibrosis because of the potential risks of cross-infection.
However she is well enough to join the rather daunting feat of cycling an average of 90 km each day for ten days. “Some of the guys doing the ride have done a bit of cycling before but most of the girls have only just bought our bikes in the last couple of months. We’re all on clinical placements at the moment too so we are spread out all over the state,” she said.
The training plan is simple: meet on Saturday mornings for a group ride of 80-100 km and get on the bike every other day.
The team hope to improve awareness of cystic fibrosis and raise more than $50,000 for Cystic Fibrosis Australia as they cycle down the coast. Research is aimed at finding better medications to control the disease, gene therapy and stem cell research and improved outcomes from lung transplantation.
The cyclists leave Griffith University’s Gold Coast campus on Monday, November 24 at about 8.30am after a farewell breakfast with their supporters.
Their overnight pit stops are Brunswick Heads, Casino, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Taree, Bulahdelah, Newcastle and Gosford before riding into Sydney on Wednesday, December 3.
To sponsor a rider, donate or for more information: www.cycle4cysticfibrosis.org
