Bucket list boys
DEVIN WEEKS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 2 months AGO
Eric Stowell, 22, grins beneath a helmet as he, Paul Frost, right, and dozens of motorcycle enthusiasts go for a ride Sunday, Oct. 2. Stowell and his brother, Vernon, 26, have Duchenne muscular dystrophy and are checking off bucket list items with the help of nonprofit One More Time Northwest.
Courtesy photo
Vernon Stowell, 26, in the sidecar, and Ben Sorenson prepare for a motorcycle ride departing from Sunset Park in Coeur d'Alene on Sunday, Oct. 2. Stowell and his brother, Eric Stowell, 22, have a rare condition, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and are working with One More Time Northwest to check off bucket list items.
Devin Weeks is a third-generation North Idaho resident. She holds an associate degree in journalism from North Idaho College and a bachelor's in communication arts from Lewis-Clark State College Coeur d'Alene. Devin embarked on her journalism career at the Coeur d'Alene Press in 2013. She worked weekends for several years, covering a wide variety of events and issues throughout Kootenai County. Devin now mainly covers K-12 education and the city of Post Falls. She enjoys delivering daily chuckles through the Ghastly Groaner and loves highlighting local people in the Fast Five segment that runs in CoeurVoice. Devin lives in Post Falls with her husband and their three eccentric and very needy cats. | October 10, 2022 9:32 AM
When Eric Stowell tested positive for COVID-19, his big brother, Vernon Stowell, assured Eric he wouldn't be left behind for a motorcycle excursion they had planned.
"Vernon was worried," Tiffinay Walker, founder and CEO of One More Time Northwest told The Press via phone call Thursday. "He said, 'I'm not going without my brother.'"
Eric got through it, and on Oct. 2 the two geared up and rode along in sidecars with members of the Bikers Against Teen Addiction and Abuse Motorcycle Club, the Diseases and Disabilities Advocates Riding Club and other riders. They felt the wind in their hair and experienced the company of new friends on the open road.
"It was a sunny day," Vernon said.
The best part?
"The cheeseburgers," said Eric, referring to their post-ride treat.
Vernon, 26, and Eric, 22, had never been on a motorcycle, but they said it was awesome to be around guys who reminded them of their dad, who died on Christmas day 2021 after serving as their caregiver.
The brothers were born with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare genetic disorder that causes muscle degeneration and weakness with a life expectancy of teens and early 20s. Originally from Post Falls, the brothers now live in a long-term health and rehabilitation center in Coeur d'Alene. They've been living it up the past few months thanks to Walker and the nonprofit One More Time Northwest, which helps fulfill dreams for adults with life-limiting diseases and conditions.
The brothers have been checking off bucket list items and seizing every precious moment possible.
"They are some of my favorite people ever," Walker said.
The Stowell brothers are best friends and like to play Xbox in their down time. Recently, they went to the movies to see "Top Gun: Maverick," they saw the demolition derby at the North Idaho State Fair, they're now honorary motorcycle club members and they have another exciting event planned around Vernon's birthday in November — Nerf gun battle.
"They'’re going to have to watch out for me," Vernon said. "I’m pretty serious with the Nerf guns."
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