Hello, my name is David Mensch.  I was born in 1960 as the second oldest of four kids and I have Cerebral Palsy.  When I arrived I was not breathing and was given CPR for five minutes before I started breathing on my own.  Afterwards, the doctors told my parents that I would have brain damage and that they should put me away in a home.  Despite my condition, my parents kept me at home and raised me like the rest of the family.

I am currently employed at the Kern Assistive Technology Center (K.A.T.C.) in Bakersfield, California, a non- profit supported by contracts, donations, and grants.  At K.A.T.C. I am an A.T. Technician which consists of assisting others in finding the correct assistive technology to help communicate, use a computer, or any other activity they cannot do on their own.

Our current office space is not big enough for our staff and customers to use, so we are seeking property of our own, preferably a house so that we can have it remodeled as a showcase house with assistive technology that can help people with disabilities live independent as possible. 

I have a passion for the work that I do because I use technology every day of my life and I know how it has changed my life.  For the last 10 years I have wanted to ride in my power wheelchair from Bakersfield to the State Capital in order to raise money for our center, and to raise awareness that disabled people can do anything.  My son Zach wants to support me by riding his bike along with me – we can do anything, we just have to put our mind to it.

In order for me to reach my goal, I need your support.  I need the following things in order to get to the capital: 

• Food and Water
• Gas money for the van so it can be used to keep the batteries charged on the trip
• Police escorts for different counties and cities
• A SAG Vehicle for the trip (like a motorhome)
• EMT or Nurse to go with me on the ride, emergency kits. 
• People well connected in the community to help get the word out

The more of this list we can get donated in-kind, the more $$ will go directly to support the Center's new facility! It'd be great to get all this donated so we don't have to buy any of it!

I am taking this trip during spring break March 30th-April 4th, 2012. The money we raise will go to the K.A.T.C. home fund.  My goal is to raise $100,000 or more. You can help fulfill this goal by making donation. No amount is too small. Even a gift of $5.00 is appreciated.  However, if can donate more, by all means please do so!

Click here to see Videos and Pictures and Route times and days of where we will be.

Things that has been donated to David and Zach's Quest to Sac.

• A new Bike and Riding gear from Action Sports
• A new hi speed Wheelchair from a anonymous doner. see youtube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKD5pO47b-A
• Two sets of batteries
• Water and drinks for the trip 
• And cash 

Thanks to the following sponsors:

Bronze Wheel $1,000

1)    San Joaquin Hospital

2)    Bill Cargill

3)    Individual from North Rotary

4)    Anonymous Donor

Other Sponsors

1)    Chateau D’Bakersfield

2)    Lee G. Meyer

3)    Westchester Kiwanis Club

4)    Veteran’s of Foreign Wars Post

Many individual sponsors have contributed

Total collected to date: $6,541+