Superior Chronicle -- Stilts

IRONWOOD, MI - Saturday, June 28, 2008 - The other day, while I was channel surfing, my remote control batteries went dead. The TV was stuck on the TV Guide Channel. I didn't actually watch TV -- I watched what was on TV, that is on the other channels -- for almost three hours because I was too lazy to get out of my seat and manually turn the channel.

Today, Neil Sauter of Blissfield, Michigan completed his 830 mile journey across the State of Michigan -- on stilts! In the process he brought awareness of Cerebral Palsy to a national audience. Additionally, he raised in excess of $68,000 for Michigan's United Cerebral Palsy.

A moderate crowd gathered at the Ironwood Tourist Information Center on US-2 to congratulate Sauter on completing his journey. Sauter's efforts resulted in a Proclamation from the City of Ironwood's Mayor; a Proclamation for the State of Michigan's Governor; a Plaque from the Michigan UCP; a scrapbook of his achievements from members of the UCP staff; and official recognition as a Kentucky Colonel.

Sauter thanked everybody for supporting him. He told those in attendance that he met many wonderful people on his jaunt across the State. He said he only had to pay for a room one time. He said the people of Michigan were very gracious and extremely kind. He said he plans on writing a book about his journey, and he hopes everybody will take the time to read it when it's available. In 2006, Sauter earned his bachelors of Psychology from Grand Valley State University. Since that time he has worked at the HOPE CENTER, a day center for people with disabilities, and has been an adjunct psychology faculty at Jackson Community College. He is engaged to be married in the fall. Many of his family were present at today's gathering.

With his stilts on, Sauter was a towering 8 foot 8 inches tall. Without them, he is slightly over 5 foot 8. But they say the real measure of a man is his character. If that is the case, there is no doubt that Neil Sauter stands head and shoulders above us all.

Donations may be sent to UCP Michigan, 4970 Northwind Drive, Suite 102, Lansing, MI, 48823. To read more about Neil's journey go to: http://www.stiltstory.org/home

Jim Albert


Man Completes 830 Mile Jaunt on Stilts Across Michigan
IRONWOOD, MI - Saturday, June 28, 2008 - The other day, while I was channel surfing, my remote control batteries went dead. The TV was stuck on the TV Guide Channel. I didn't actually watch TV -- I watched what was on TV, that is on the other channels -- for almost three hours because I was too lazy to get out of my seat and manually turn the channel. Today, Neil Sauter of Blissfield, Michigan completed his 830 mile journey across the State of Michigan -- on stilts! In the process he brought awareness of Cerebral Palsy to a national audience. Additionally, he raised in excess of $68,000 for Michigan's United Cerebral Palsy. A moderate crowd gathered at the Ironwood Tourist Information Center on US-2 to congratulate Sauter on completing his journey. Sauter's efforts resulted in a Proclamation from the City of Ironwood's Mayor; a Proclamation for the State of Michigan's Governor; a Plaque from the Michigan UCP; a scrapbook of his achievements from members of the UCP staff; and official recognition as a Kentucky Colonel. Sauter thanked everybody for supporting him. He told those in attendance that he met many wonderful people on his jaunt across the State. He said he only had to pay for a room one time. He said the people of Michigan were very gracious and extremely kind. He said he plans on writing a book about his journey, and he hopes everybody will take the time to read it when it's available. In 2006, Sauter earned his bachelors of Psychology from Grand Valley State University. Since that time he has worked at the HOPE CENTER, a day center for people with disabilities, and has been an adjunct psychology faculty at Jackson Community College. He is engaged to be married in the fall. Many of his family were present at today's gathering. With his stilts on, Sauter was a towering 8 foot 8 inches tall. Without them, he is slightly over 5 foot 8. But they say the real measure of a man is his character. If that is the case, there is no doubt that Neil Sauter stands head and shoulders above us all. Donations may be sent to UCP Michigan, 4970 Northwind Drive, Suite 102, Lansing, MI, 48823. To read more about Neil's journey go to: http://www.stiltstory.org/home Jim Albert

Man Completes 830 Mile Jaunt on Stilts Across Michigan