Welcome to my site... WE DID IT!!!
What is this all about? Well, people know it as Emily's 9-Mile Swim.
Thank you for wanting to learn more.
The original Press Release at the bottom of the page below gives you more detail... but, we did what we set-out to do! Here's the most recent update:
Emil's 9 Miler - COMPLETED! - Update 8/4/2007
The swim started in the dark as Emily and Dean quietly slipped into the water at 5:19am. When all was said and one, the GPS said they actually swam 10.1 total miles. They wanted to make sure there was no question they did 9 full miles, but their course was also altered by buffeting wind and waves that developed about half-way through the swim. Throughout the swim they also had to be cautious to avoid a large number of additional boats circling the lake as part of a local Fishing Tournament. All ended successfully at the Nohner cabin on the southwest shore of Big Birch... where family, friends and neighbors gathered to cheer them in at 11:18am, just 6 hours later.
My Uncle, Al Nohner, put this Press Release together. It's about doing something special for someone I've never met, to stretch who I am by doing something never imaginable, by working with people who are willing to make the impossible into I'mpossible and demonstrate a random act of kindness. It's for real!
July 26, 2007
For immediate release
Media Contact: Jeff Nohner (Jeff@Nohner.com; 612-719-3119)
Swimmer Contact: Emily Nohner (emily.nohner@gmail.com; 402-660-0289)
NINE-MILE SWIM PLANNED AROUND BIG BIRCH LAKE AUGUST 4
TO SUPPORT FAMILY WITH CHILD AFFLICTED BY CEREBRAL PALSY
Emily Nohner will be undertaking a nine-mile swim around Big Birch Lake near Melrose, MN, August 4 to heighten awareness of cerebral palsy and raise funds to support a family whose teenage son suffers from the incurable disease.
Nohner, whose family has a summer home on the lake, and swimming coach Dean Osterloh plan to embark on the swim at sunrise and conclude approximately six hours later. The route will begin at Paradise Bay on the southwest corner of the lake, proceed east around the entire perimeter of the 2,100-acre body of water, and finish on the south shore near the former Nohner’s Resort.
The swimmers will be accompanied by a boat identifiable with a seven-foot banner that indicates a swimmer is nearby.
From Omaha, NE, Nohner graduated this spring from the University of Dayton in Ohio with a degree in political science, a minor in international studies, and a concentration in human rights. She was named a recipient of one of 75 Truman Scholarships awarded through a national, competitive process.
She is currently serving an internship in Washington, DC, at the Alliance to End Hunger and plans to use the $30,000 scholarship to pursue a master’s degree in international affairs and a juris doctorate in refugee law.
Nohner came up with the idea for the swim after she became aware of Maddison Duncan, the nephew of a faculty member at the University of Dayton, Dr. Chris Duncan, who had mentored her through the Truman application and interview process.
Maddison has cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder that permanently affects body movement and muscle coordination. Now in his mid-teens, he lives at home with his parents and siblings in Nevada.
“I was surprised to hear last year about Dr. Duncan’s nephew, who was suffering in a hospital bed after complications from surgery to insert a steel rod in his back,” said Nohner, who felt compelled to show support for Maddison and give something back to her faculty advisor. “I wanted to raise money by pushing myself to do something that I didn’t think I could do, and make it a celebration of life.”
Nohner, who swam recreationally but hadn’t taken any lessons since she was a five-year-old, went online to find help in preparing for the water marathon. She eventually connected with Dynoswim Aquatics, a company founded in Connecticut and located in Palm Coast, FL, that trains master’s and youth swimmers of all levels, backgrounds and abilities.
Once Nohner had explained her goal and the reason for the swim, Dean Osterloh, coach and founder of Dynoswim, agreed to help her prepare physically and mentally for the swim as well as complete the route with no fees. Nohner has worked with Osterloh for the past year, trained in Florida with Dynoswim, and recently completed a training session with Dynoswim in the Long Island Sound in New York.
All funds raised during the swim around Big Birch Lake will be used to assist the Duncan family in their care and treatment of Maddison. Individuals interested in supporting the family financially may make checks out to the Maddison Duncan Fund, which can be mailed to Emily Nohner, 1754 North 127th Street, Omaha, NE 68154-3638.
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One important visitor was also there to cheer Emily in, Dr. Chris Duncan. Emily's former academic advisor from the University of Dayton and his family drove in from Ohio to be part of the event. He and his family were impressed by the Nohner family's welcome of everyone raising funds and awareness in honor of his nephew Maddison, who lives with his family in Las Vegas. The Duncan's were surprised that everyone worked so hard supporting someone they have never even met. Dr. Duncan spoke on behalf of Maddison and his family at the Finish Line Celebration, saying "this was one of the most moving things I've experienced in my life." "One of the great things I learn by being a professor is I learn more and more from my students all the time." He said that actions like Emily and women of her generation have a lot to teach us about being a better a person. "They give me hope, at times when I don't always have hope."
Emily's parents, Dr. Kevin Nohner and his wife Mary, tracked the swimmers by boat from their early morning departure until the Finish Line. Their responsibility was to alert boaters of Emily and Dean's location. With banners and swimmer signs, they nervously followed the progress through periods of rain and chilly conditions. Their sons Joe and Nick assisted in a second boat through the more treacherous routes to pass between upper and lower Birch and provided added protection as the winds and waves increased.
DynoSwim coach and founder Dean Osterloh swam with Emily the entire way. He and his organization have trained hundreds of Master Swimmers. He was skeptical when Emily inquired a year ago about doing a 9-mile swim to raise awareness about Cerebral Palsy and Maddison Duncan. It's the equivalent of a doing 3 swimming marathons on the same day. "Going from zero to 9-miles in a year is quite an accomplishment and I don't think just anyone could have done that. It's really a testament to Emily's determination and I'm glad we had an opportunity to help her get there." After all the training she's done and completing the 10-mile Big Birch Lake event, Dean said "she's had more open water experience than some Masters Swimmers with 20 years of experience!"
Additional information about the adventure is being posted on Emily's swim website at www.swim4cp.nohner.com, which also includes information about contributions. Donations can be made to the Maddison Duncan Fund, c/o Emily Nohner, 1754 North 127th Street, Omaha, NE 68154.
