The first paddleboarder with a disability to cross Lake Huron is now setting his sights on crossing Lake Michigan next week.
Mike Shoreman decided to cross each of the Great Lakes and even consulted Vicki Keith who first swam the Great Lakes in 1988.
“In 1988, she did it to raise funds to build a pool for children with disabilities, and I’m doing it now to put mental health programs in schools across the country.”
Shoreman set out to complete the task after he was diagnosed with an extreme case of Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, which occurs when the virus that causes shingles attacks the nerves.
When it started to affect his ability to walk and paddleboard, he fell into a depression.
He says he doesn’t want young Canadians to ever feel the same way and be able to get the help they need.
“Suicide is the leading cause of death in young Canadians, aside from car accidents. This year, 150,000 young Canadians will think about taking their [own] lives. And it will be fatal for hundreds of them.”
Shoreman is set to paddleboard across Lake Michigan between June 25th and July 4th.
Anyone who is interested in donating to the cause can do so through jack.org