Devastating Diagnosis Pushes Local Man To Live Bigger

DAVIS (CBS13) – Kyle Bryant is doing what he loves, kicking off a ride for more than 400 people – all of them supporting a disease that has taken his life down a different path.

"We read online that I was going to die a premature death, and that put a fire in my heart and made me live with urgency," Bryant said.

Bryant was diagnosed with Friedreich's ataxia – also known as FA – when he was 17-years-old. It affects speech, coordination balance and muscles.

Since then, he's completed two cross-country rides – including race across America.

"My first ride was seven miles in four months," Bryant said. "I built up to 100 miles in a day, a century ride."

All of that determination has transformed into dollars. Saturday alone, $125,000 will be raised for research.

"Right now there's no cure or treatment for FA, but there are clinical trials," Bryant said.

Some of those results are already coming in and giving people hope. Meanwhile, Kyle is taking the challenges and pushing harder than he ever imagined.

"I'm sleep deprived and I haven't eaten enough, but I have so much energy."

A documentary centered on Kyle will premiere at the Dances with Films festival in Hollywood next Saturday. The movie is called Ataxia.