Rochester Teacher-Triathlete Takes On Alcatraz, All for Rett's Girls

Between the spelling tests and the sci-fi writing assignments, Brian Dalton is teaching his eighth-graders an important lesson that's hard to find in any standardized school textbook.

It's a lesson about compassion. About charity. And about the extraordinary possibility that what they are doing could, someday soon, help cure a rare childhood disease.

The disease is Rett syndrome, a neurological disorder that affects about 10,000 girls worldwide. It robs its young victims of the ability to talk and walk and feed themselves. Rett girls can't write a note to their best friend or style their own hair or hug their parents goodnight. Those closest to it have described Rett as autism, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease and cerebral palsy — all in one disease.

Three years ago Dalton was searching for a "cause" — something to help his middle schoolers understand the pride of helping others. He noticed a flier about Rett syndrome at a Rochester Hills coffee shop and wanted to learn more. 

Year after year since then, Dalton and his students have researched the disease. They have organized fundraisers. And they have eventually come to know and love two local Rett girls — girls who Dalton says add an urgency to their work.

"A cure for this disease is always our ultimate goal, and there's progress — it's within reach," Dalton said.

In the next two weeks, the community can join in the efforts of Dalton and his students by attending three fundraising events (details below). And in less than two months, Dalton will push himself to his physical limit, participating in the extreme Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon to raise awareness and funds.

"The kids love to work for something other than themselves," Dalton said. "They learn a lot. They learn not only what Rett is but what it means to help someone else out, which is the most important thing."  

Rett's girls

There is perhaps no better motivation for Dalton and his students than Annie MacDonald, 8, and Rachel Morris, 9.

Annie, of Rochester Hills, and Rachel, of Sterling Heights, have come to be loved by Dalton and his students as the inspiration for their fundraising efforts. The two girls, along with members of their families, visited Dalton's class last week. 

"Now you can see why if you don't do something I ask you to do, and I get feisty about it, this is why," Dalton told about 30 students in his sixth-hour class after introducing them to their special guests. "Because its not for me, it's not for you, it's for them."

Annie's mom, Bridget MacDonald, works on the board of directors of Girl Power 2 Cure, a national organization dedicated to raising awareness of Rett syndrome. She writes a blog, where she chronicles the struggles of her daughter's disease.

"Everyday it becomes more and more clear that she is my very intelligent, ambitious little girl that remains trapped in a body that has failed her," MacDonald writes.

Last month, MacDonald received recognition from the Village of Rochester Hills in the Village's "Holiday Giving" campaign for her efforts to help find a cure for Rett syndrome. A cure is a real possibility, she said, citing recent research that shows promise in reversing the disease.

Rachel's mom, Lori Morris, is the sister of Tony Borraccio, head chef at Lino's in Rochester Hills. In two weeks, Lino's will host a spaghetti dinner where all proceeds will help fight the disease.

Morris brought Rachel to Dalton's class while in pain herself on Friday: she had thrown her back out carrying her daughter. Standing next to Rachel's wheelchair, Morris responded to students' questions about how she discovered her then-infant daughter had Rett syndrome.

"One day she was pulling herself up to the sofa; the next day she was a zombie on the floor - no response, no reaction," Morris said. It took months for doctors to determine Rachel had Rett syndrome. 

Both moms agreed visiting Dalton's class and seeing the eighth-graders was inspirational.

"They're in eighth grade — I think that's what gets me," MacDonald said. "These aren't parents; they aren't adults. They're going above and beyond." 

Escape from Alcatraz

Dalton calls himself crazy.

He may not be far from the truth: On March 3, he will compete in the Alcatraz Triathlon, one of the most extreme sporting events of its kind. He will swim through cold choppy waters from the island to the California shore before biking and running another 26 miles through the Golden Gate Recreation Area.

The race is for professional triathletes, and though part of a wall in Dalton's classroom is decorated with memorabilia from different races he has participated in, he's no pro. Instead, he applied to participate in one of only a few charity spots that are available for the Alcatraz race each year. He'll race for Girl Power 2 Cure, the national organization; his ultimate fundraising goal: $7,000.

"Each year I want to make it so more and more people know about (Rett's)," Dalton said. "This year I figured that if I did something crazy enough, more people could learn about it. 

"I wanted to put myself through not being comfortable, just like these girls have to deal with every day."

He noted the symbolism between Alcatraz the prison and the "internal prison" Rett girls battle every day in their own bodies.

"It is a good connection," he said.

How you can help

Here's how you can support Dalton's cause; all of the money will go directly to Girl Power 2 Cure, which is funding a cure for Rett syndrome.

• Noodles and Company: From 4-9 p.m. Wednesday, the Village of Rochester Hills location will donate 25 percent of food sales to Dalton's Alcatraz race (just mention Rett syndrome at the checkout.)
• Barnes and Noble: A book fair on Jan. 24 at the Rochester Hills store will donate a portion of sales to Rett syndrome. Dalton and his students will be at the store at 4:30 p.m. If you can't attend the book fair, you can shop online at BN.com; use the code 10946556 at checkout.
• Lino's: From 6-9 p.m. Jan. 22 guests can enjoy an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner at the Rochester Hills restaurant. Cost is $20 per person; there is a cash bar.
• Donate directly to Dalton's Girl Power 2 Cure efforts at www.razoo.com/story/Mr-D-S-Jailbreak

To learn more about Rett syndrome, visit www.rettsyndrome.org.