Although blisters may have slowed her down, a Northumberland County woman's spirits are up as she walked into Pottsville on Friday during a leg of her trek to Citzen's Bank Park in Philadelphia to raise awareness for Tourette syndrome, a disease from which her 12-year-old son suffers.
Wearing a shirt that reads "For Kasey," Shana Neidig's nearly 150-mile journey began about 8 a.m. Thursday at her home in East Cameron Township. She has no sponsors for her trek and has with her only the clothes on her back.
She arrived in Frackville along Route 61 about 3 p.m. Friday before continuing on to Pottsville, from which she would again depart toward Philadelphia either Friday night or sometime this morning, giving herself a rest.
Neidig's goal is to attract the attention of former Philadelphia Phillie Jim Eisenreich, a 15-year veteran of professional baseball who also has Tourette syndrome.
In 1996, the former Major Leaguer founded the Jim Eisenreich Foundation for Children with Tourette Syndrome. Neidig hopes he'll visit Mount Carmel Area Jr./Sr. High School to help educate her son's classmates about the rare disease.
A baseball player as well, Kasey Grohowski, 12, recently pitched a game for Anthracite Fire Company, striking out 13 batters. He is a three-sport athlete with professional baseball aspirations, and a distinguished honors student who'll be entering the seventh grade.
Grohowski was recently diagnosed with a severe case of Tourette syndrome.
Neidig said many people don't understand that Tourette is an illness.
During a baseball game when Kasey was pitching, he was thrown out of a game for an outburst of him cursing Neidig attributed to Tourettes. She said Kasey's father tried to explain the illness to the umpire, but he said that he didn't understand and couldn't make an exception for one child.
"It's a neurological problem from the dark part of your brain," Neidig said. "That's why he curses."
Neidig said it's also hard for kids to understand the disease because there are no physical attributes when a person is not having an episode. Episodes can be very shocking to others: Symptoms of Tourette syndrome can be as mild as an eye twitch or as severe as stomping one's feet and cursing uncontrollably.
The direct cause of Tourette syndrome is still unknown, and it is generally treated medically with antidepressants. Grohowski's parents are hesitant about such medication because they don't want to restrict their son's active lifestyle.
In preparing for her journey, Neidig had the support of family and friends.
Victoria Steckler, who competed in cross-country with Neidig in high school, will be there to check on her friend's safety and occasionally join her on the walk.
Both women spent the night in Steckler's car Thursday at the Schuylkill Mall, Frackville, and started the journey together Friday after brushing their teeth at McDonald's.
Steckler finished the walk for Neidig to Pottsville from Saint Clair on Friday since Neidig's blisters had gotten so bad. They will be acting as a tag team along the way.
Steckler is confident that Neidig will accomplish her goal.
"I knew Shana a long time," said Steckler. "When she sets out to do something, she does it."
Steckler said Neidig already walked two miles barefoot during part of the journey since she couldn't wear shoes because of the blisters.
Although they aren't sure when they will arrive in Philadelphia, Neidig said she won't return home until she gets there.
Neidig said that while she wasn't planning to accept donations at first, people have been stopping along the way. One motorist gave her $20 just outside her hometown. She plans to use donations for any water and food needed during the walk.