SAN DIEGO — Swimming the English Channel takes stamina and strength, but imagine taking on that challenge with Parkinson's Disease.
In this Zevely Zone, I headed to La Jolla Shores for a stroke of inspiration.
Ellen De La Cruz, a teacher at the San Diego County Office of Education, was only 50 years old when a doctor broke the news she had Parkinson's Disease. "It was a real shock when I was diagnosed four years ago," said Ellen.
Ellen is training in the Pacific Ocean but it's the Atlantic that's calling her name.
For two years she's been waking up early for training plunges into the water. "It wakes you up," said Ellen.
Now, 54 years old and in the fight of her life, it's time for the Bucket List. "I've always wanted to swim the English Channel," said Ellen.
Her husband Ruben wasn't surprised. "The Parkinson's diagnosis was definitely a setback but you know it wasn't going to deter her or stop her from any goals. She really buys into that whole get busy living or get busy dying," said Ruben.
Ellen says she's forty years past her prime. So, swimming from England to France requires a dedicated support crew.
I asked her best friends what they thought when Ellen said she wanted to swim the English Channel. "Let's do this. How do we help? When? What does this mean? How do we do this?" said Heather Wilson.
Sometime between June 26th to July 3rd, weather permitting, Ellen will start her 15-hour swim.
"It's cold, there's jellyfish and it's choppy," said Ellen. "I am excited, I am a little nervous, I am a little scared."
I asked which friend would push her the hardest if Ellen wanted to quit. They all pointed to the former cop, Sara Campbell, who recalled a rocky moment during a long training swim when Ellen said, "Sara, I think I want to quit and I go Ellen you are telling me right now you have three miles left and she said no, ha, ha, get your face in the water and start swimming toward the buoy," said Sara.
"My journey is a reminder that we can respond to adversity and pain head-on. We can use negativity as fuel," she said. "I know my lived experience is dramatically different from my students' experiences, but my message is to persevere in the face of pain and that is universal. Don't give up! Put your head down and make forward progress little by little, just like I plan to do when I swim from England to France," she said.
It'll take grit to swim the English Channel. The water is expected to be 57 degrees and Ellen is not allowed to wear a wetsuit. "No, I have not worn a wetsuit in two years," said Ellen. She is one tough teacher. "I try to be, ha, ha," laughed Ellen.
21 miles across the ocean, Parkinson's and all, with her best friends rooting her on. "Go Ellen, go Ellen, go Ellen," yelled her support team.
"I am focused on this journey because I keep my commitments, and this is a demanding one. I am excited because I am so close to the big event, and I am grateful for so many gracious, generous people helping me reach my goal and sharing my story. I feel my story may make a difference for people who have health battles like Parkinson's," she said.
To learn more about her experience and follow her journey on her website. Ellen is raising money for the Michael J. Fox Foundation and her trip if you'd like to make a donation or follow her journey, click here.