Ben, Lee Anne, and Christian Barry pose in front of the Mackinac Bridge Thursday, September 8. The family is mid-way on a cross-country fundraiser for people with brain injuries. Ben, Christian, and Lee Anne Barry reached the mid-point of their cross-country bicycle trek at the Macknac Bridge, passing from St. Ignace to Mackinaw City Thursday, September 8.

The ride from New York to Orlando, Florida, is a fundraiser for patients with brain damage. The trio began it two weeks ago and hope to complete the journey October 12. While two members of their team ride, the third follows in the family van.

The bicycle ride is sponsored by Brain Injuries Great (BIG), which was founded by Lee Anne Barry, who sustained a brain injury when she was five and struggled to recover at a time when resources were not available. The nonprofit, cross-country bicycle tour takes the family through Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Grand Rapids, and Daytona Beach, Florida.

“The memory of being in a wheelchair on my sixth birthday motivates me to be as physically active as possible,” said Mrs. Barry. “I didn’t know it then, but it opened up a whole new world to me.”

She is originally from Michigan and now lives with her husband in Charlotte, North Carolina.

BIG has groups of bikers all over the country. The organization promotes helmet use and seat belt safety and seeks to inspire people living with brain injuries.