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Main Image: Nathan arrives to a jubilant reception in Redcliffe (supplied). Listen: Nathan McDowell and Julie from Leukodystrophy Australia chat with Ken & Nicky after the completion of Nathan’s big ride.
A few weeks ago we brought you the story of Nathan McDowell, as he prepared to ride from Noosa to Redcliffe.
Nathan was riding to raise funds and awareness for Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease (PMD), which is a rare type of leukodystrophy that affects the nervous system (predominantly in males) and results in impairment to movement and coordination, muscle spasms, delays in developmental milestones, loss of motor abilities and the progressive deterioration of intellectual function.
Reece D’Alessandro is a reporter with The Today Show and Channel 9 News and is on the ground in Ingham and told 96five’s Ken & Nicky that although TC Niran was moving away from the coast, the system was intesifying.
“As it intensifies today we’re expecting the winds to pick up north and south of Cairns, so all eyes are on where this cyclone will end up, it’s really anyone’s guess at this point. Forecasters do expect it to develop into a Category 2 system by tomorrow and possibly a Category 3 by as early as tomorrow night.”
Reece said that the locals were well prepared for any flash flooding the system may bring.
Main Image: Nathan McDowell on his hand-cycle (Facebook). Listen: Ken & Nicky speak with Nathan and support worker Matt Bell about the preparation for ‘Nathan’s Big Ride’.
At 30 years of age Nathan McDowell is the oldest living person with Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease (PMD).
PMD is a rare type of leukodystrophy that affects the nervous system (predominantly in males) and results in impairment to movement and coordination, muscle spasms, delays in developmental milestones, loss of motor abilities and the progressive deterioration of intellectual function.
There are two types of PMD with the more severe type being evident from birth, and resulting in a life expectancy ranging from a few years to the mid-teens. Nathan is one of the few people in the world who have battled the condition and lived into their thirties.