Motorcycle Mom

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (Ivanhoe Broadcast News) -- D.J. Jones lives to ride her motorcycle. "There's nothing like it in the world," D.J. says. But there was a time when she just wanted to live. "The doctor told me if you don't change your lifestyle you won't see 30, and that was a wake up call."

Southern cooking and a rock-and-roll lifestyle took a toll on her heart. The 49-year-old mother knew she had to change. Both her parents died of a heart attack and she didn't want to be next. "As time went by, she educated herself about nutrition and exercise," Mark Jones, D.J.'s husband, says.

Getting her own health back wasn't enough. She set out to help others suffering from heart disease, the only way she knew how. "I was flabbergasted of course, but I knew that she was serious," Mark says. "Yeah, well, I've been called crazy," D.J. says.

Crazy. That's one word for it. This New Mexico woman became the first person ever to ride the same motorcycle through all 50 states alone. "I wanted to be able to do something to really bring attention and awareness to people out there that this is very important. It's the number one killer of Americans," D.J. says.

Heart disease is even more deadly in African American women. "One out of every three African-American women has high blood pressure. Almost 50 percent of African-American women have something wrong with their cholesterol status," says Kathy Jutila, M.D., a cardiologist from the University of New Mexico. Experts agree there is a need for greater education; it is not only with women, but among health care professionals too. "So those vague symptoms, that oftentimes can be mistaken for menopause, need to be paid attention to," Dr. Jutila says.

It took Jones six months, three tents and one 800 lb. motorcycle, affectionately named "Big Bertha," to complete her journey. Her new mission? To inspire others to pursue their dreams. As for D.J.'s inspiration, it comes from above. "My two angels watching over me and I hope they are smiling down on me and keeping me safe," she says.

D.J Jones is now writing a book about her journey called 50 States of Consciousness. A portion of the proceeds will go to the "Posey Foundation" to fight heart disease.

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, which offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, click on: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.

If you would like more information, please contact:

D.J. Jones
Posey Foundation
poseyfoundation@aol.com
http://www.poseyfoundation.com