Jeffrey’s Journey
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Sunday, Jan. 25, at 11 AM
When you’re faced with an incurable, debilitating and progressive disease, you have a choice to make. How do you live your life? When Jeffrey McElfresh was a child, that wasn’t a consideration. He was in perpetual motion, a bundle of energy. Then something changed. It began in small, almost imperceptible ways. But it just kept coming. His feet and hands were gradually losing function. At age 41 he finally learned the name of his malady: Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease.
While everyday tasks continue to become harder with this progressive disease, Jeffrey finds real freedom on a bicycle. In 2024, Jeffrey took a 10-day, 461-mile adventure along the Ohio River from Pittsburgh to Cincinnati.
During the film, we see how Jeffrey has to carefully plan his route — both for safety and for his individual abilities — and how he overcomes unexpected challenges along the way. From camping along the roadside to taking breaks in small towns, the trip gives Jeffrey a glimpse into the history and culture of the region while providing him time to reflect on his own journey with Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease.