It wasn't until Duke walk-on Brennan Besser approached New York City on Tuesday, completing a cross-country bike ride to raise money for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD), that he reflected on what he'd achieved.
He didn't want the emotions attached to his fundraising effort, which included free basketball clinics at every stop, to disrupt the flow of his 3,400-mile trek.
Besser's 23-year-old sister, Jacqueline, has autism and is nonverbal with limited motor skills. She's also the inspiration for the political science major's effort with his charitable foundation "Walk On! America" to raise $1 million for people like her who demand vital resources that allow them to live fruitful lives.