Cancer Survivor, Amputee Takes On MS 150 Ride
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- It's a trek that would wear anybody out.
The MS 150 ride goes from Duluth to the Twin Cities this weekend, and one participant is not only a double amputee and four-time cancer survivor, but he's determined to raise money for those affected by multiple sclerosis.
Norm Coone won't use a bike, but rather, a hand cycle.
"I realized I was going to have to train like crazy if I was going to succeed," Coone said.
That's where the Courage Center stepped in, as Coone's hand cycle and his hours on it were paid through their programs.
During the winter months, Coone would train by using their pool and weight room for two hours, three days a week.
Norm's brother, Paul, believes in his mission.
"He's always smiling," Paul said. "And there's people who are physically, mentally capable and waste their lives away doing nothing with it. Look what he can do."
There's no sibling rivalry between Norm and Paul when it comes to their health.
Norm has battled testicular cancer four times, and on the last occurrence he had to have part of his lung removed when a spot showed up.
Paul is the one fighting multiple sclerosis.
"I'm looking forward to being there on Sunday to cheer him on with a banner," says Paul.
The MS 150 starts at Proctor High School in Duluth on Saturday morning, overnights at Grand Casino Hinckley and finishes at Century College in White Bear Lake on Sunday.
"There are people who have it much worse than I do," Norm said. "And I'm frankly loving life."
