When Mike ‘Skipper’ Aitchison reached Ower’s Corner, the final stop of the iconic Kokoda Trail, he was reminded of the four incredibly poignant words of the Kokoda Monument: courage, endurance, mateship, and sacrifice.
Skipper tackling Kokoda last year.
He’d just spent nine gruelling days traversing 96km of rugged terrain alongside his adult children, Penny and Ian, less than four years after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
It was a fitting reminder of the journey he and his family had been on, not just across those past nine days but since he first received the news about his diagnosis.
Now, he’s gearing up to do it all again next March through ‘Skipper’s Trek’, a fundraiser for The Hospital Research Foundation (THRF) Group – Parkinson’s.
“The one thing I’ve realised with Parkinson’s is that if you do nothing then nothing happens, so you’ve got to keep on doing things and you’ve got to keep on challenging yourself,” Skipper said.
“That’s why I’m doing it again, and what better reason to do it than to help and inspire people with Parkinson’s that they can actually lead a fulfilling life and that they can do things.”
After Mike was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2020, the Aitchison family made a conscious decision to do more together while they still could.
Penny, Mike and Ian (centre) at the Kokoda Monument at Ower’s Corner.
So, when some old work colleagues made plans to trek Kokoda, Mike stuck his hand up and volunteered Penny and Ian as well.
“I had opportunities to do Kokoda before and never really taken them but this time it was a challenge,” he said.
Skipper’s work mates ultimately found reasons why they couldn’t make the trip, so it was down to the Aitchison trio – or the ‘A Team’ – to lead the way.
Trekking Kokoda takes at least six months of preparation, so Mike worked with the Brain x Body Fitness Studio at Unley to put together an exercise program focused on leg strength and balance, as well as with dietitians and health professionals, to help get him ready.
However, nothing could prepare him for the harsh realities of the jungle. And despite having fears about how he’d manage his symptoms on the trek, there was never any thought of giving in.
“It’s so easy to slow down and give up. I’ve got Parkinson’s but Parkinson’s hasn’t got me and it’s not going to get me, I’m not giving up yet,” Skipper said.
The A Team is in the midst of training once again as they prepare to head back for another trek in March, this time with the goal to raise funds for THRF Group – Parkinson’s.
We’re truly inspired by Skipper’s determination and wish the A Team all the best ahead of their trek! We look forward to reporting on how it went next year.
To donate, head to www.justgiving.com/team/skippers-a-team. You can also keep up with the A Team’s progress by searching for ‘Skipper’s Trek’ on Facebook and Instagram.
