My name is Brett Barker, I’m 26 years old, I have a passion for riding on and off-road motorcycles, and I have cystic fibrosis (CF). CF is a genetic disease that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system. The mucus in my lungs is abnormally thick and will continue to gradually decrease the amount of air I am able to take in until I am unable to breathe.

As a baby it was extremely difficult for me to gain weight no matter how much I ate. The doctors blamed it on the fevers and colds that I was prone to. One day when I was about nine months old, as I lay in my crib suffering from a fever, my grandmother picked me up and kissed me on my forehead. When she mentioned to my mom that my skin tasted extremely salty, my mom recognized that as a symptom of CF. Once the test confirmed the diagnoses, my parents were told that based on the current average, my life expectancy was just over 20 years.

 Part of living with CF includes daily therapies which can take up to an hour every morning and 45 minutes every night. I have routine checkups every three months where a team
of doctors study my weight and lung capacity changes, review medicines I’m taking, and help me to figure out ways that I can lead a productive life while meeting the demands required in battling this disease. If I get a cold that reaches my lungs or if my lung functions get too low, I am admitted into the hospital for aggressive IV antibiotics and chest physical therapy, which helps to break up the bacteria in my lungs. This happens every eight to twelve months and my stay as an inpatient lasts about two weeks.

Despite this disease I am committed to riding my street and dirt bike as much as possible. Motorcycles are a passion passed down from my dad to my older brother and I. Together we make it a point to use riding as a conduit for spending quality time with each other. When I was a teenager my brother and I raced motocross at our local tracks back in Washington. Now we all reside in the Bay Area and although the progression of my illness prevents me from racing, we take advantage of the motorcycle friendly attitude and weather that California offers.

Because of the advancements in medicine and knowledge of cystic fibrosis, the average life span for someone living with CF is now up to 36 years. My parents and I have always made it a priority for me to volunteer for any research trial I qualify for. I know that with my help, researchers will be able to find a cure, possibly within my life time.

Last year my friend organized a charity motorcycle ride in Washington as a way to thank me for introducing him to the motorcycle lifestyle. All proceeds went to the CF Foundation. Organizing the event required a huge time commitment which he is unable to meet this year. His efforts inspired me to host a similar ride in the Bay Area. After an unplanned meeting with Broc Glover himself, the “2nd Annual Broc Glover’s Breathe Easy Ride – Bay Area Satellite” was created.

I like how this ride gives an opportunity for people to help out with a great cause by doing what they love to do. Hopefully everybody will make new friends and enjoy the event. In a few years maybe they’ll be watching the news on TV and a story about a cure being found for CF will catch there attention. Then they’ll be able to say, “Hey, I helped to make that happen”.

 

                                                                        God Bless,

                                                                        Brett Barker