An edited version of the following article appeared in The Ottawa Citizen on Saturday, July 14, 2001

Taking the challenge Down Under

Mike Nemesvary
'Round the World Challenge

Mike Nemesvary, a former champion freestyle skier, is attempting to become the first quadriplegic to drive around the world - a 40,000 kilometer trek to raise funds for spinal cord injury research and rehabilitation.

Perth, Australia

Well, it turned out that the "Beast" (a.k.a. the truck) was put onto a "slow boat" from India to Australia. It’s been nearly a month since we waved goodbye from the dock in Madras, where, for the second time on this trip, we crossed our fingers and hoped it would make it across the ocean in one piece.

We affectionately call the truck the "Beast" as it often seems to have a mind of its own and is certainly a little temperamental at times. And, when it comes to crossing into a new country, it seems like it really is treated like a live animal.

The truck finally came off the ship on Friday, July 6 but we had to wait until Monday to go through the customs routine. We were fortunate to meet up with sympathetic customs officials who expedited the process and, in a very short time, we watched as the truck was removed from storage.

After a quick visual inspection, we confirmed that everything was as we left it. Just one small problem....the "Beast" would not start. We prayed that it was not up to its temperamental tricks again; the thought of spending time waiting for more vehicle repairs was almost more than we could bear.

Imagine our relief when after one quick battery boost, the beast was again humming.

Next up, quarantine officials. The Australian Government is very pro-active regarding quarantine of anything that could allow for the entry of disease into their ecological system. The vehicle required a high-pressure wash and a very thorough on-site inspection. No doubt, with the UK "foot and mouth" disease, they are even more diligent in their quarantine requirements.

The Beast was given a clean bill of health and it was on to the next step...declaring it roadworthy. Yes, it was disease-free but, did the old boy have the stamina to continue on?

Finally, after a complete motor vehicle inspection and some minor repairs, the friendly Aussies slapped on a "left-hand drive label" and we were issued a temporary license sticker.

The next day we were on the road at 5:00 a.m., everybody in great spirits and itching to get moving again. The team is again composed of the original trio as Christine has rejoined George and me for the remainder of the Challenge. It’s great to have her back as we embark on our Australian adventure.

Here in Australia, I am encountering much less curiosity than I did in the Middle East and India.

In these countries, we attracted curious crowds and media attention wherever we went, as the level of technology that I have in my truck and just the fact that I, as a quadriplegic, am so mobile, was a very foreign concept. In some areas, the disabled have no mobility as they don’t even have access to wheelchairs, much less the ability to drive. There were times when I was reluctant to show off my electric wheelchair and heavily-modified truck in the face of such poverty and despair.

But I also saw incredible ingenuity in these countries. There was one memorable moment in Iran where we met with a few local disabled people; one gentleman rode a motorcycle with a sidecar that he threw his chair into while another had modified an electric rickshaw. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

At first, I took the reaction of Australians to be indifference to my cause. But, I now realize that is not apathy; it is just that the Australians are used to seeing disabled individuals as active, participating members of the community. What I am doing might be unusual but my disability is not. This is a very good thing!

Over the next month, we will put in more than 10,000 kilometres as we cross Australia. Our excitement is building as we have nearly crossed the halfway mark in the Challenge and our arrival back in North America is less than two months away.

It is difficult to get a true sense of what’s happening back home but when I talk to the home team, I am always encouraged to hear of the mounting corporate support that we are now getting and how many people are following our stories in The Ottawa Citizen and on the website.

Now, if we can only translate that interest into a donation to spinal cord rehabilitation and research....

Next stop...Darwin, Australia.

For more information, visit www.roundtheworldchallenge.com