ORADELL

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Mikey Oliveri, America; America, Mikey Oliveri

TOWN NEWS
Resident fulfilling dream to travel across the country spreading inspiration

DECEMBER 17, 2008

BY EAMON HARBORD
Staff Writer About muscular
Oradell resident Michael
dystrophy
“Mikey” Oliveri was at an outdoor Muscular dystrophy is a genetic
party this past summer and had to disorder that causes muscle
leave because it was getting too
chilly. He got into his car to head weakness. Becker muscular
home, but couldn’t grab the steer- dystrophy is generally slowly
ing wheel because his fingers were progressive and affects only
too numb. males. Muscle wasting begins in
While he was pulled over at a
stop sign, he thought to himself ‘I the legs and pelvis, then
just have to go to California.’ progresses to the muscles of the
Since the age of 16, Oliveri has shoulders and neck, followed by
been wheelchair bound due to
Becker’s muscular dystrophy (see loss of arm muscles and
sidebar). respiratory muscles. There is
“It was a scary thought to think no known cure.
that I could lose my independence
not because of the muscular dys-
trophy, but because of Mother warmer climate because the cold
Nature,” he said. He didn’t want to hurts,” said Christiane Oliveri,
have to spend the entire winter Michael’s mother. “His sister, Lisa,
indoors. has an empowering aspect on him
Since his diagnosis, Oliveri has- and helps him realize his dreams
n’t let the disease slow him down. with ease. His dream is to go cross-
He’s been skydiving twice, took a country and just overnight he
zero-gravity flight and traveled to decided to do it.”
Egypt and Mexico. “I’m so proud of him,” said Lisa
Last month, Oliveri, 24, took Oliveri, Michael’s sister. “He’s out
steps to make sure the cold didn’t there, spreading awareness, inspi-
slow him down either as he began ration, and love, which is what he’s
the long journey to California, driv- all about. My hope is that he can PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHAEL OLIVERI
ing cross-country with friends. The also play some role in removing
road trip has also become a cam- some of the obstacles, challenges Pictured from left to right are Lisa, Michael and Christiane Oliveri before both Lisa and Michael
paign as Oliveri plans to talk to and stigmas people with disabilities go skydiving.
everyone he meets along the way often face. He’s the type of guy
and help them realize that they can who loves to break down barriers.” ‘I feel like this road trip runs parallel to his journey through life; it took a
make the choice to be happy. Dispagna will stay with him
“There comes a time for every until Christmas and then another while to get started but it’s quickly gaining momentum and blossoming
bird to fly the nest, or in my cir- friend, Pat Agresta, will take the
cumstance, to wheel out,” Oliveri second leg of the trip, his mother into its full potential.’
said. “My dream for some time has said. Michael Oliveri’s sister, Lisa
been to drive from coast to coast, While the entire trip is mapped Oradell
to progress across those black and out so that Oliveri can visit friends,
yellow interweaving branches that he hasn’t set a time frame so that from wherever his travels take him. muscular dystrophy. If people are human soul,” said Christiane. “As a
connect every corner of this vast he can change his plans as needed Oliveri admits he is still getting willing to donate and contribute to mom, I am very proud to see that
and varied country. and experience life. An adventur- used to the idea of blogging and my dreams and goals, then I want my son’s disability did not limit
“Originally I thought to fly out er at heart, he prefers to occasion- uploading videos to the site. to be able to share that with the him in any way. For Michael, the
and have my belongings shipped ally get lost just so he can see new “Mike’s a special guy,” said rest of the world and turn this into sky is truly the limit. He is unstop-
over, but a friend of mine texted me things and meet new people. Lisa. “He makes friends wherever something greater. pable.”
one night saying ‘Let’s do a road “As far as I know, I’m the hap- he goes and changes the life of any- “Right now I’m living out of my “I feel like this road trip runs
trip, bring a camera and document piest guy in the world,” Oliveri said. one who knows him. It’s great that van and when I get to California, I parallel to his journey through life;
everything.’” “I want to meet everyone I can and the Internet (Facebook, YouTube, don’t know what is waiting for me. it took a while to get started but it’s
His journey began late last talk to people wherever I go. It’s and blogs) makes it so easy for him I never know if I’m going to wake quickly gaining momentum and
month with a trip north to Mas- about having real conversations to reach out to others. I’m so happy up each morning, but instead I blossoming into its full potential,”
sachusetts and Vermont for some with people, not just the sugar- he and the world have this oppor- focus on that everyday is the best said Lisa. “This is his time and I’m
winter fun with friends. He was coated versions. The only relevant tunity to discover each other.” day of my life because I choose to not only excited for him, I’m excit-
also invited to speak to a college thing in life is the present and to Because of the outpouring of make it that way. Life and love is a ed for everyone who is about to
classroom in New Paltz, N.Y. live in the now, to follow your support for Michael’s journey, he beautiful gift that should be experi- meet him. And while I’ve seen him
After returning to Oradell for a heart and live without regret.” has decided to create a nonprofit enced and shared.” ever day almost my entire life, I will
few days, Michael and his friend To record his journey, several organization taking from the dona- Along with traveling across the miss my best friend.”
Matthew Dispagna headed down friends created a Web site, mikey- tions he’s received. The donations country, Michael hopes to one day To follow Michael as he travels
to Washington, D.C. for an inter- wheels.com, so that Oliveri can will be split between the cost of the meet President-elect Barack Oba- from frosty New Jersey to sunny
view with the Washington Post on post video journals and blog at cross-country trek and the new ma and continue doing what he California in his high-tech van, vis-
Dec. 4, before heading further each stop. His van, outfitted so that organization. loves, but on a global level. it www.mikeywheels.com.
south to Atlanta, Ga., and Miami, Michael can drive, was fitted with “I only just thought of the idea “In these tough times, Michael’s
Fla., and eventually turning west. a wireless hook-up, courtesy of in the last few days,” said Michael. courage and excitement about life Eamon Harbord’s e-mail address
“He’s always wanted to live in a Verizon, so updates can be made “It shouldn’t be just about me or is simply an inspiration for the is harbord@northjersey.com

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