ORLANDO, Florida – When Don Muchow entered the Magic Kingdom Monday afternoon, nothing prepared him for the reception he would receive.
When cast members and guests lined the entrance and cheered it on, Muchow ended his year-long trip from California to Florida to raise awareness about type 1 diabetes.
The 59-year-old marketing director from Texas was diagnosed at the age of 3.
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At the time, there was no technology like today that could monitor his glucose levels or help treat his diabetes.
As he got older, a PE teacher told him to avoid exercise to reduce the risk of dangerously low blood sugar.
He followed this advice until a number of health problems forced him to question this diagnosis.
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“In 2003, I was 42 years old and 50 pounds overweight, already with serious diabetic complications. At that point, I knew my PE teacher was wrong. I knew exercise was critical to helping Type 1 Diabetics (T1Ds) stay healthy, control blood sugar, and minimize complications. ” he said
While he was getting his health back on his feet, he decided to use his experience to inspire others.
Over the years, Muchow has competed in triathlons, ultramarathons, bike rallies, and half marathons while treating his illness.
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That eventually led to his idea of walking from California to Florida.
With the help of his wife Leslie, Muchow started his cross-country skiing hike from California in February 2020 with the intention of ending on the Atlantic Ocean.
On the way he got the idea to run from one Disney park to another.
So he made his way to Disneyland, Anaheim, and the next year traveled nearly 2,800 miles through nine states to Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
During his travels, Muchow paused his journey only three times; once for a week after his father’s death and two more times due to COVID-19 concerns.
After Muchow arrived at the Magic Kingdom to greet a hero and spent a day in the park to take some drives and eat the ice cream he had earned, Muchow continued his journey to the coast.
On his website, Muchow says: “If you can do it, I can do it too.”
Muchow is expected to arrive in Melbourne sometime on Wednesday.
Here you can read more about Don Muchow and his run through America.
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