Sandy walks! Send-off ceremony kicks off 700-mile walk
June 8, 2009
Sandy McWilliams' journey from Kentucky to New Jersey officially began this morning.
A send-off ceremony attracted 50 to 60 people - friends, family, fellow church members, Girl Scout leaders and former Scouts, speech pathologists and neighbors - to get her going on her seven-week walk.
Dr. David Houghton, from the Movement Disorders Clinic at the University of Louisville, discussed the state of PSP research and what is happening at U of L. Jean Davidson, associate pastor at Springdale Presbyterian, Sandy's church, blessed the trip. And Metro Parks spokesman Jason Cissell represented Mayor Abramson, who declared June 8 "Sandy McWilliams Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Awareness Walk Day."
Family members expressed their support - even Airman Kyle McWilliams, who is stationed at Ramstein Air Force Base in Europe. "We will be tracking your progress from Germany," he told the crowd by cell-phone hookup. "We will be there in spirit every step of the way."
The group walked with Sandy for a symbolic first block. "There's a Chinese saying - a journey of 1,000 miles begins with the first step," said her husband, Terry. "We want you to know that you will carry these first steps with you on your journey."
Anne Del Prince, an architect who attends Springdale, walked with Sandy most of the first six miles. Sandy completed 18.8 miles for the first day, stopping at KY 393 in Oldham County. She'll pick up there on US42 on Tuesday, where she left a stake and a green bandana, and where she sprinkled some wildflower seeds. ### | 
