AVENTURA, Fla. – A South Florida man is hoping to raise $260,000 for spinal cord research with his arms and three wheels.
Alan Brown, 48, of Aventura, has been training on the streets of South Florida using a special $7,000 hand cycle.
"I'm doing it because about a year ago, someone had me get into one of these hand cycles and I felt free again," Brown said.
Brown who is a paraplegic has been training for six months and is up to 30 miles a ride. He will be joining 80 other hand cyclists Halloween weekend at the New York City Marathon.
This will be Brown's second time in the New York City Marathon. He completed the marathon 25 years ago.
"The biggest obstacle now is that I really don't have much movement in my hands," He said. "Getting up at 5 a.m. to get your workouts done before it gets to hot here in South Florida has been tough. But I'm ready to hit the streets of New York."
Brown has been confined to a wheelchair for the past 28 years after he was hit by a wave that damaged his C-5 and C-6. He works as a spokesperson for the Christopher Reeve Foundation.
This latest journey comes with a mission he hoping to raise $10,000 a mile for spinal cord research.
"I have $190,000 in pledges already and people can go online and donate," Brown said. "My goal is to raise $260,000 to go to research for people to live a better life with spinal cord injury."
His hand cycle will be shipped Tuesday to the Big Apple. Alan will continue training in Central Park next week. His $7,000 hand cycle was donated by Challenge Athletes Foundation.
"Physically I have more energy than I have ever had I feel better about myself," said Brown.
To donate, click here.
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