The life mate of Doc Bernie Duff, living in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. She has advanced degrees from universities in Vietnam for Journalism and Tourism and has been involved in charitable operations with a group in Vietnam called UMX from 2002-2007. With this group, she was introduced to the children in Tra Vinh and has been instrumental in getting a great deal of worldwide support for their plight. She has also worked with people suffering from AIDS (a major problem here in Vietnam), the handicapped, the elderly, orphans and a group called SMILE. She is also very involved in the same current projects as is Doc Bernie Duff, including Cay Bang Primary School and the families in Quang Binh Province and of course, the Walk. For a more detailed look at the fine work already done by Doc Bernie and Bao Anh, please have a look at their ‘Multiply’ blog sites (web addresses are listed under the [LINKS] tab).

Jo is a retired Registered Nurse who for many years worked on the Intensive Care Unit of the main hospital in her home town of Cairns, Australia. While unable to work due to health challenges, her energies remain keen and it is for that reason that she leapt at the chance to aid those less fortunate, particularly with regard to Agent Orange.  Her cherished cousin Richard, a Vietnam Veteran, lives every day with its effects. He is pictured below with Jo’s daughter Jess, who will be accompanying us for the duration of the walk.  Jo’s passions (aside from her three adult children and three step-children) include writing, photography and travel.

Peter Mills was born in Liverpool, Sydney, Australia. After completing school he began a career in aviation which ceased at the age of 21 when he became a paraplegic as a result of a trail bike accident on the 23 August1983.

Why mention the date, well as fate would have it Peter was involved in another motor vehicle accident that resulted in a broken arm on the 23rd August 2000. The other strange associated detail to this is that they both occurred near the same small town in the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia. Peter was always willing to try all forms of sport but was almost entirely committed to Wheelchair Basketball. With a career that spanned 2 decades he was fortunate enough to have been able to play at most level and in many countries including New Zealand, Japan, China, Thailand, Iran, and Spain.


Peter worked for the Department of Housing for 10 years, Mogo Wheelchairs for 3 years and as a fitness instructor at the Wenden Centre for 2 years.


After breaking his arm Peter moved to the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. There he commenced a business leasing aesthetic equipment which later led into a passion for life casting. After learning the craft of life casting Peter completed sculptures for a range of clientele and charities. Peter also began teaching the process to other interested people and artists.


In 2006 Peter closed his studio and decided to go backpacking in Malaysia and Vietnam. After experiencing Vietnam for only 6 weeks he decided to return to following year to gain a further appreciation. Peter participated in the 2008 Orange Walk for a short 2weeks. His commitment to such a cause he hopes can be demonstrated in the preparation and participation of the 2009 Orange Walk (ride). At this time Peter is residing in Nha Trang and preparing for what he can offer the victims of Agent Orange as part of the Orange Ride.

***Peter is the only member besides Bao Anh and myself who was part of the first Orange Walk team to return this trip. The trek is difficult (to say the least) and each former member is off and doing other very meaningful projects from the heart. We are extremely happy that Peter was able to say yes and return with us again in 2009! As you might expect, he is a favorite with the kids, as well as the other people we meet along the way!!

In December 1994, a mere 51 days after having his left leg wrenched off in a horrifying road accident Grahme Rayner, then a sergeant in the Australian Army, sat in his wheelchair watching the start of the 50th Sydney to Hobart yacht race. 365 days later he sailed out of Sydney Harbour as crew in the 51st Sydney to Hobart race.

In 1996 Grahme became involved with Sailability, establishing Sailability on Chipping Norton Lake in Liverpool. That year he also became Vice-President of Sailability NSW.

In 1997 Grahme participated in the BT Global Challenge Yacht race on Time & Tide, with an all disabled crew. These yachts sail the wrong way around the world, against the prevailing winds and against the tides, mountainous 60ft waves, icebergs, freezing temperatures. He sailed from Sydney to Southampton, England via Capetown and Boston.

In 1999, Grahme and paraplegic Vinnie Lauwers competed in the Melbourne to Osaka Two-Handed race. They were the first all disabled team to compete in this 44 day odyssey, finishing second in their division.

Grahme returned to Japan one month later and has since been responsible for the establishing of over 35 Sailability Clubs throughout Japan.

Grahme in 2006 was elected President of Sailability NSW. He is Commodore of the Newcastle Rotary Fleet. Devoting much of his time to sailing for the disabled & disadvantaged, Grahme runs programmes for the local schools at Raymond Terrace & Nelson Bay for students with special needs and behavioural problems. He has also run sailing days for the Aboriginal community at Karuhra.

Grahme Rayner speaks with authority about "Putting his best foot forward". His inspiring story offers all who hear it a recipe for success in today’s tough business climate. Grahme’s honest and fresh style of presentation exudes passion. He constantly draws from his experiences and shares the lessons learnt with each audience, in a highly customised fashion.

Grahme Rayner is married to Lauretta and is father to Scott (26) and Jodie (24). He is 49 years old and a fiercely proud Australian

This is the first installment of bios to help you all see the great people that Bao Anh and I will be traveling with during Orange Walk 2009. Last year, we were honored to have been associated with each person who so freely gave of their time and hearts to make life just a little better for those who suffer so much each day. This year will be no different and I think when you get to know the members of this 2009 team, you will all agree with me when I say that there is hope for this world yet! Thanks to Peter, Jenys and Grahme for sharing this info with us and please stay tuned for more to come from the other team members as I receive it from them (hint hint!).

"My name is Jenys Lehmann and I am 54 years old and have been residing in Vung Tau for the past 3 years teaching English at the V.A.T.C. school. I also do volunteer work at the local orphanage which I find very rewarding.

My other interests are, tennis, golf, going to the beach, reading, music, dancing, table tennis, walking (but not sure on all those kilometers), meeting people and trying to live life to the fullest, as life is too short so we have to make the most of it and appreciate what we have and not what we don't have. (I had a phone call from my son last night telling me that is neighbours son only 14 years old was missing, he and a couple of friends had been swimming in the creek behing his when he was caught and dragged into the drain going under the bridge, they found his body at 7.30am this morning, its tragic. We never know whats around the corner do we?)

I had 4 children, but my eldest son was killed in a car accident at the age of 19 and not long after that my marriage fell apart. I decided to move with my daughter to the Gold Coast knowing no-one and start a new life, basically to find out what my strengths were and to do it alone, a very big step for me I can assure you. I had a couple of holidays in Malaysia and loved it but wanted to discover more, initially I wanted to go to Africa and do volunteer work there but family and friends weren't too happy and worried about me a lot, one friend suggested Vietnam so did my teaching course, decided to sell up and if my house sold then it was meant to be, so hence to say here I am.

Why am I wanting to do this ride? I enjoy my lifestyle here and the teaching, but I need that new challenge and I know that I am not an experienced rider as yet, but love motor-bikes, had one when I was 18 not long ago (he he) and have said to friends here that I would love to ride around Vietnam.But on saying that, I believe that people come into your life for a reason, and I want to do more with my life, I love giving to others always have, when my son died, if a 100 kids had of knocked on my door I would have taken them in, I seemed to have so much more compassion, I know that I can t save the world but god if we all sent out more love to the universe and thought about others instead of our own needs all the time then maybe there wouldn t be so many problems. I know that I can't change the world but if everyone came from their heart space, then maybe the world would become a better place, you don t have to give gifts to receive an reward, but to give someone the time of day a hug a kiss show a little kindness and then to see their smile of happiness that is my reward back to me, we all need and want love not matter who we are.

I know that this ride is going to be hard and challenging and at times I will wonder why am I doing this, its because I want to, I want to give more and to see what else lies out there, we are all put on this earth for a reason, I what to fulfill my life and don't want to say before I die say why didn't I do this or do that. Last year my 2 of my best friends died of cancer and another was diagnosed with Parkingsons disease, the one with parkinsons said to me do everything that you want to do as you don t know what is around that corner, and isn t that the truth, look at the young before who died this morning. Lets be thankful that we wake up each day and thank god the universe for everything that we do have."

Karla Foss Reilly is an artist living in Alabama, USA. She is the former Vice President of HALO (Helping And Loving Orphans) a non-profit organisation based in Seattle Washington and has worked to raise funding for the disadvantaged in Vietnam, Columbia and Afghanistan. Karla travels to Vietnam regularly and is in the process of starting her own non-profit organisation called The International Healing Project, with efforts concentrated in S.E. Asia. She has a special interest and commitment to the leper villages in Central Vietnam, the children living and working in the garbage dumps in the southern region of the country and children affected by Agent Orange. In the U.S., Karla works as an active board member with the Cancer Wellness Foundation, raising funding and awareness for cancer patients in her home state.

Karla now is running a NGO in the U.S called THE INTERNATIONAL HEALING PROJECT.

Phuc was born and raised in HCMC, Vietnam after the war. He joined the military for 2 years then he fished his school 4 years later to become a cameraman. He has worked for several media companies. He joined the walk to make a documentery movie then offcially became a member of the Orange Walk team. He is a good walker and a great helper for everyone of the team. Phuc now is working for a Media Company in Ho Chi Minh City.

Truyen came from Phu Yen province. She went to Da Lat to study then worked in some different places. She knew about the walk through a friend. She got excited and decided to join the Orange Walk 2008. She walked from the begining and the end of the walk (HCMC-Ha Noi) as well. Truyen now is working with Robert Schuessler in a NGO named Orangehelpers.

Ngo Gia Khanh will be joining the Orangecarers 2009 Ride around Vietnam.