Michael Oliveri's Journey

BY EAMON HARBORDStaff Writer

Oradell resident Michael“Mikey”Oliveri was at an outdoorparty this past summer and had toleave because it was getting toochilly. He got into his car to headhome, but couldn’t grab the steer-ing wheel because his fingers weretoo numb.While he was pulled over at a

stop sign, he thought to himself ‘Ijust have to go to California.’Since the age of 16, Oliveri has

been wheelchair bound due toBecker’s muscular dystrophy (seesidebar).“It was a scary thought to think

that I could losemy independencenot because of the muscular dys-trophy, but because of MotherNature,” he said. He didn’t want tohave to spend the entire winterindoors.Since his diagnosis, Oliveri has-

n’t let the disease slow him down.He’s been skydiving twice, took azero-gravity flight and traveled toEgypt and Mexico.Last month, Oliveri, 24, took

steps to make sure the cold didn’tslow him down either as he beganthe long journey toCalifornia, driv-ing cross-countrywith friends. Theroad trip has also become a cam-paign as Oliveri plans to talk toeveryone he meets along the wayand help them realize that they canmake the choice to be happy.“There comes a time for every

bird to fly the nest, or in my cir-cumstance, to wheel out,” Oliverisaid. “My dream for some time hasbeen to drive from coast to coast,to progress across those black andyellow interweaving branches thatconnect every corner of this vastand varied country.“Originally I thought to fly out

and have my belongings shippedover, but a friend ofmine textedmeone night saying ‘Let’s do a roadtrip, bring a camera and documenteverything.’”His journey began late last

month with a trip north to Mas-sachusetts and Vermont for somewinter fun with friends. He wasalso invited to speak to a collegeclassroom in New Paltz, N.Y.After returning to Oradell for a

few days, Michael and his friendMatthew Dispagna headed downto Washington, D.C. for an inter-viewwith theWashington Post onDec. 4, before heading furthersouth to Atlanta, Ga., and Miami,Fla., and eventually turning west.“He’s always wanted to live in a

warmer climate because the coldhurts,” said Christiane Oliveri,Michael’s mother. “His sister, Lisa,has an empowering aspect on himand helps him realize his dreamswith ease.His dream is to go cross-country and just overnight hedecided to do it.”“I’m so proud of him,” said Lisa

Oliveri, Michael’s sister. “He’s outthere, spreading awareness, inspi-ration, and love, which is what he’sall about. My hope is that he canalso play some role in removingsome of the obstacles, challengesand stigmas peoplewith disabilitiesoften face. He’s the type of guywho loves to break down barriers.”Dispagna will stay with him

until Christmas and then anotherfriend, Pat Agresta, will take thesecond leg of the trip, his mothersaid.While the entire trip is mapped

out so thatOliveri can visit friends,he hasn’t set a time frame so thathe can change his plans as neededand experience life. An adventur-er at heart, he prefers to occasion-ally get lost just so he can see newthings and meet new people.“As far as I know, I’m the hap-

piest guy in theworld,”Oliveri said.“I want tomeet everyone I can andtalk to people wherever I go. It’sabout having real conversationswith people, not just the sugar-coated versions. The only relevantthing in life is the present and tolive in the now, to follow yourheart and live without regret.”To record his journey, several

friends created a Web site, mikey-wheels.com, so that Oliveri canpost video journals and blog ateach stop.His van, outfitted so thatMichael can drive, was fitted witha wireless hook-up, courtesy ofVerizon, so updates can be made

fromwherever his travels take him.Oliveri admits he is still getting

used to the idea of blogging anduploading videos to the site.“Mike’s a special guy,” said

Lisa. “He makes friends whereverhe goes and changes the life of any-one who knows him. It’s great thatthe Internet (Facebook, YouTube,and blogs)makes it so easy for himto reach out to others. I’m so happyhe and the world have this oppor-tunity to discover each other.”Because of the outpouring of

support for Michael’s journey, hehas decided to create a nonprofitorganization taking from the dona-tions he’s received. The donationswill be split between the cost of thecross-country trek and the neworganization.“I only just thought of the idea

in the last few days,” said Michael.“It shouldn’t be just about me or

muscular dystrophy. If people arewilling to donate and contribute tomy dreams and goals, then I wantto be able to share that with therest of the world and turn this intosomething greater.“Right now I’m living out ofmy

van and when I get to California, Idon’t knowwhat is waiting forme.I never know if I’m going to wakeup each morning, but instead Ifocus on that everyday is the bestday of my life because I choose tomake it that way. Life and love is abeautiful gift that should be experi-enced and shared.”Along with traveling across the

country,Michael hopes to one daymeet President-elect Barack Oba-ma and continue doing what heloves, but on a global level.“In these tough times,Michael’s

courage and excitement about lifeis simply an inspiration for the

human soul,” said Christiane. “As amom, I am very proud to see thatmy son’s disability did not limithim in any way. For Michael, thesky is truly the limit. He is unstop-pable.”“I feel like this road trip runs

parallel to his journey through life;it took awhile to get started but it’squickly gaining momentum andblossoming into its full potential,”said Lisa. “This is his time and I’mnot only excited for him, I’m excit-ed for everyone who is about tomeet him. Andwhile I’ve seen himever day almostmy entire life, I willmiss my best friend.”To followMichael as he travels

from frosty New Jersey to sunnyCalifornia in his high-tech van, vis-it www.mikeywheels.com.

Eamon Harbord’s e-mail addressis harbord@northjersey.com

ORADELL

Mikey Oliveri, America; America, Mikey OliveriResident fulfilling dream to travel across the country spreading inspiration

PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHAEL OLIVERI

Pictured from left to right are Lisa, Michael and Christiane Oliveri before both Lisa and Michaelgo skydiving.

‘I feel like this road trip runs parallel to his journey through life; it took awhile to get started but it’s quickly gaining momentum and blossominginto its full potential.’

Michael Oliveri’s sister, LisaOradell

About musculardystrophyMuscular dystrophy is a geneticdisorder that causes muscleweakness. Becker musculardystrophy is generally slowlyprogressive and affects onlymales. Muscle wasting begins inthe legs and pelvis, thenprogresses to the muscles of theshoulders and neck, followed byloss of arm muscles andrespiratory muscles. There isno known cure.

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