pole2pole: Michael McGrath Started towards the South Pole

History will be re-written when British businessman and Muscular Dystrophy sufferer Michael McGrath becomes the first disabled person in the world to reach both North and South Poles.09/01/2004

 
Michael McGrath during the first part
of his pole2pole trip: On the North Pole;
© pole2pole

The expedition will be the completion of the 2nd phase of a two-year project called ' pole2pole' which seeks to raise £1m for research into and relief from global muscle disorders including Muscular Dystrophy.

McGrath contracted Muscular Dystrophy when he was 18 and now, twenty years on, has severe walking difficulties and, due to loss of muscle bulk, very little physical strength. Remaining upright and retaining balance are his biggest daily physical challenges. Ironically, McGrath feels the cold much more than able-bodied people as a result of a less efficient circulatory system.

Inspired by the memorial inscription on Captain Robert Falcon Scott's tombstone "to strive, to seek, to find, not to yield ", McGrath will travel with his expedition team to the Geographic South Pole, the Earth's southernmost point, situated at latitude 90°S where all lines of longitude meet, in Jan 2004. McGrath successfully reached the North Pole in April 2002.

pole2pole is the inaugural event of The Muscle Help Foundation. The foundation has 3 primary objectives: to raise global awareness of muscle disorders including the devastating condition of Muscular Dystrophy, to raise funds for neuromuscular research and to develop an inclusive global community by creating a web-based information portal to support some 250 million people worldwide effected by muscle disorders.

McGrath said: "This is an opportunity to generate massive awareness and funds whilst doing something productive. Although my condition has radically changed the way I live my life, I decided early on that I would do everything I could to have a positive impact on others. It's about exploring what people can do as opposed to what they can't do. It is the journey towards achieving the goal that is more important than the final destination"

At such an uncertain time in our world today, the project mantra reflects a positive message with an important global call-to-action - 'use a muscle to save a muscle'.

- Click here to keep on track with McGrath's expedition and learn more about The Muscle Help Foundation