Former sheriff to ride to Alaska for cause

A Florida man’s dream to help hearing and sight-impaired babies across the nation has reached the heart of an Ozark man who wanted to join the cause.

Former Dale County Sheriff Bryant Mixon is planning to ride his VSTROM 650 motorcycle on an 11,000-mile round-trip to Alaska, beginning July 1. The bike ride is to raise money through pledges for the SKI-HI Institute, an organization committed to enhancing the lives of children with special needs.

The institute states on its Web site that it has assisted thousands of children across the world and has established additional programs for special needs children in Utah.

Mixon, 62, is the only man from Alabama expected to take the trip. At least 13 men from at least eight different other states are also riding.

Mixon said he drew interest after learning about Dr. Mike Tucelli, a University of Florida professor who is also hearing-impaired.

Tucelli started motorcycling to Alaska eight years ago to help the institute, Mixon said. Three of those years were completed alone on a motor scooter.

Mixon said he has already raised about $1,000.

“The amazing part of this story is Dr. Tucelli overcame a great obstacle in his life and his commitment is to help others do the same. And of course the unusual
way he does it,” Mixon said.
“Most people consider traveling to Alaska, by any mode of transportation, a once in a lifetime experience.’

About SKI-HI:
The SKI-HI Institute is an internationally-known nonprofit organization at Utah State University whose mission is to enhance the lives of young children with sensory disabilities, and their families. Through model programs, curriculum resources, and trainings developed by SKI-HI, families of young children who are deaf, blind or deaf and blind learn how:

To communicate and play with their babies who can’t hear or see

To manage hearing aids, cochlear implants, glasses and other adaptive devices

To accept and enjoy the child who has a sensory loss, making him/her feel like an important part of the family

To help their child safely move about and explore the environment, learn to do things for him/herself, and use other senses such as touch

To help their children enter school ready to learn and communicate with others

Source: http://www.skihi.org

How to Help:
Make all checks payable to SKI-HI Institute
Mixon
ATTN: SKI-HI Institute
2767 Campground Road
Ozark, AL, 36360
SKI-HI Institute
Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education
Utah State University
6500 Old Main Hill
Logan, UT 84322-6500
Phone: (435) 797-5600