At the end of March, a father and son from Bakersfield, will hit the road to raise awareness about state budget cuts and how they're affecting people with developmental disabilities in California.
And, support is building for Mench's Mission.
In most families, the heavy lifting is left to the parents. The roles are reversed for David and Zach Mensch.
On March 30th, 52-year-old David Mensch and his 15-year-old son Zach will gear up and strap down for a 300-mile trip from Bakersfield to Sacramento. "It's an adventure for me, and I know it is for Dad", said Zach.
They're not hopping in the car. They will be literally, on the road: David in a souped-up wheelchair, Zach on his road bike.
"When my dad first came up and told me about this I was really excited because he's my dad and I love him. And, if he's into something that's really good for the community, then I love to get into that and help him," Zach said of his father.
David Mensch was born with cerebral palsy. He's a technician at the Kern Assistive Technology Center, a non-profit agency in Bakersfield that gives people with developmental disabilities access to modern technology that helps them lead more productive and independent lives.
David Mensch says this ride is meant to draw awareness to recent and newly proposed budget cuts to programs benefiting the disabled.
Aaron Markovits is Director of KATC. He says the vast majority of people with developmental disabilities are low income, living off $700 to $800 a month from Social Security, paid through the state, and can ill-afford cuts to the services they rely on.
Markovits says, "Try living on a check that's $700 to $800 a month. That's what they're supposed to live on to pay rent, buy clothes, and buy food. These cuts affect the lives of real people."
Getting in a motorized wheelchair and heading off to Sacramento sounds kind of crazy. But, it's something David Mensch has dreamed about for ten years. And, support for Mensch's mission is building.
An anonymous donor purchased a top-end wheelchair for David through All Medical Supply. It'll do eleven miles per hour, as long as the batteries last.
"I love it....it's amazing," David Mensch said.
According to John Privett, owner of All Medical, the last chair he bought like this one cost $38,000. "It stands you up and reclines you. It's one of the faster chairs on the market", Privett said.
In fact, David Mensch hopes to break the world record for the longest distance traveled in a motorized wheelchair in 24 hours. That would happen on the first leg of the trip, from Bakersfield to Madera; 159 miles in one day.
And, Kerry Ryan, owner of Action Sports in Bakersfield, gave Zach a touring bike of the first order and riding gear. A team of volunteers will escort this dynamic duo on back roads, up the valley, on their five-day ride to Sacramento.
"I know we can do it. I know we can get through it. My dad and I are tough people and we can get through anything", Zach said.
For most of us, parent-child relationships revolve around school, daily chores, getting to this game or that game, and generally trying to keep pace. But, this father and son are setting their own pace, on a trek to deliver a message to lawmakers in Sacramento.
"Me as a kid, knowing how bad budget cuts affect people with disabilities, and having a parent with a disability, it just hurts my heart to know you would do this to someone who possibly can't fend for themself," Zach said.
Pushing for policy change. It's not easy street, but it's a road this father and son are willing to travel.
But, Mensch's mission is two-fold. One is to raise awareness over budget cuts. And, two, to raise money to help defray expenses as KATC moves into a new home.
An anonymous benefactor has agreed to lease the non-profit a residential property, on very reasonable terms, giving KATC a chance to grow and reach its full potential.
If you'd like to know more about Mensch's mission, or how you can contribute to their cause, log onto their website at www.davidandzachsquest.com.
They're set to leave Bakersfield at 9 a.m., Friday March 30th, from the Crystal Palace parking lot.
