About This Charity Event - 2001
The Great Mississippi River Race for Rett Syndrome, May 2001
We are Going the Extra Mile..... The Extra 2,348 Miles to Find a Cure!
The Great Mississippi River Race for Rett Syndrome, May 2001
We are Going the Extra Mile..... The Extra 2,348 Miles to Find a Cure!
About this Special Charity Event
L to R Clark Eid, Noah Eid sitting, Mary Potter standing, Amanda Eid sitting; 1999 family vacation at the Headwaters of the Mississippi River.... where it all began...
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The Great Mississippi River Race for Rett Syndrome, May 2001, is the brainchild of Clark Eid. Clark Eid and his wife Mary Potter planned this extreme charity event after visiting the headwaters in 1999 during a family vacation. Clark and Mary created this one time world's longest non stop canoe/kayak race to raise awareness and research money for Rett syndrome, a rare and devastating neurological disease that has afflicted their daughter, Amanda. This Rett Syndrome Awareness event was meant to create a large scale platform that paired a relatively obscure rare disease with a well know large American Icon, the Mississippi River, that ran right down the center of the United States! During the next 2 years, teams called from around the world to join the race - and by the race start, 5 mighty teams and countless individuals and families from across the world worked together and raised awareness of Rett syndrome in the general and scientific communities while raising funds to find a cure. A marathon of research, echoing the demands of this epic journey, is our best hope for our children's future.
Founders Message: Dear Friends: It wasn't long ago that our lives seemed somewhat normal, even for a family with a child suffering from Rett syndrome. That was a time when there was more of a distinction between what was "impossible" and what was merely "difficult". Now, our lives and views have been forever changed for the better, because of you. The Great Mississippi River Race for Rett Syndrome, May 2001, would have been impossible without your kind help. This event has drawn out the best in everyone and we are truly thankful. You are the "Dream Keepers" for our children's future. We also want to thank all those who made the difficult choice to become involved with the often bittersweet world of Rett syndrome. You've demonstrated remarkable courage in becoming part of our lives. It's impossible to over-estimate the positive effects of your actions. Last, but not least, we call upon the research community to take notice and pride in this event. We recognize that your research holds the keys to unlock our children's bonds. We need your help, and we'll go the extra 2,348 miles to help you do what was once thought impossible ...... to find a cure! With Kindest Regards, Clark Eid and Mary Potter |
Race Display/Ship of Dreams
The Double Helix Rett Syndrome flagship was hand built by Clark Eid in honor of Amanda Eid and all of those who have Rett Syndrome, to serve as a the flagship for the Great Mississippi River Race for Rett Syndrome, May 2001. The Double Helix was paddled by Clark Eid ( Amanda Eid's father, and chairman of this charity event) and Kurt Zimmermann during the race. The Double Helix was publicly placed at the world-class Morial Convention Center in New Orleans from 2006 to 2017, as part of a general display for this race. The Double Helix and Race display has been located at the Tunica River Park Museum so that we can continue to raise awareness of Rett Syndrome to the general public.
The Double Helix Rett Syndrome flagship was hand built by Clark Eid in honor of Amanda Eid and all of those who have Rett Syndrome, to serve as a the flagship for the Great Mississippi River Race for Rett Syndrome, May 2001. The Double Helix was paddled by Clark Eid ( Amanda Eid's father, and chairman of this charity event) and Kurt Zimmermann during the race. The Double Helix was publicly placed at the world-class Morial Convention Center in New Orleans from 2006 to 2017, as part of a general display for this race. The Double Helix and Race display has been located at the Tunica River Park Museum so that we can continue to raise awareness of Rett Syndrome to the general public.
Team Double Helix members hold up the Double Helix prior to the race, approximately early 2001. L to R: Clark Eid, Phil Melhorn, Jan White, George Karageorge, Omar Lopez, Jeff Romine, William Schmitz, Christine Hendricks, Eric Marshall, Kurt Zimmermann.
Rose Vine/Double Helix Design - Amanda's Dreamkeeper
The rose vine that wraps completely around the Double Helix was designed by Clark Eid to mirror a segment of double-stranded DNA that codes for a peptide that spells "Amanda's Dream Keeper", in honor of his daughter, Amanda, who suffers from Rett Syndrome. This mural was created by using over 2,000 pieces of 63 different wood veneers in a technique known as marquetry. Click here to read how to decode the rose vine. Click here to read how to "decode" the rose vine to spell "Amanda's Dreamkeeper"!.
Special Additions
The rose vine that wraps completely around the Double Helix was designed by Clark Eid to mirror a segment of double-stranded DNA that codes for a peptide that spells "Amanda's Dream Keeper", in honor of his daughter, Amanda, who suffers from Rett Syndrome. This mural was created by using over 2,000 pieces of 63 different wood veneers in a technique known as marquetry. Click here to read how to decode the rose vine. Click here to read how to "decode" the rose vine to spell "Amanda's Dreamkeeper"!.
Special Additions
- Signatures from Dr. James D. Watson and Dr. Francis Crick, who shared the 1962 Nobel Prize with Maurice Wilkins for discovering the structure of DNA, the double helix.
- Exotic woods in the ornate compass ring were left over from the reconstruction of the Amistad, another ship standing for liberation.
- A navigation console was constructed with woods from the Calypso, echoing her brave spirit to venture into the unknown.
- A white rose inlay on the console reflects the TurboSails of the technologically advanced Alcyone.
Rett Syndrome families and the Prior to the race, Double Helix at the annual CT Rett angels get together, held at Pat Fay's home, 2000; Amanda Eid is the blond young girl wearing the black tee in the middle (it says BOSS)... sitting on mom Mary Potter's lap. Kurt Zimmermann, one of Team Double Helix paddlers is in the upper left side standing.