SPORTS

Accomplished: 170-mile wheelchair journey to Lambeau

Shelby Le Duc
USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Dennis Schultze made a 50-day, 170-mile journey from Janesville to Lambeau Field by wheelchair to raise funds for charity. He completed the final stretch walking with a prosthetic leg on Saturday in Green Bay.

GREEN BAY - For Dennis Schulze, Saturday marked the end of a 170-mile journey by wheelchair from Janesville to Lambeau Field.

Although he has been planning his arrival since starting the trip in February, nothing could have prepared the 55-year-old Beloit native for the surprises waiting for him across the symbolic finish line.

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A crowd of about 40 people including families, as well as local and out of town law enforcement, gathered Saturday morning at Stadium View Bar & Grille to accompany him during the final stretch to the stadium. But instead of using a wheelchair, Schulze put on a prosthetic leg and walked the last mile — his way of honoring those who cannot walk.

As police escorted him and the crowd into the stadium's parking lot, it became clear the journey did not end there.

The group was taken inside the stadium where Schulze got to meet Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson and briefly stand on the famous field.

"I don't really know what to say right now," he said through eyes full of tears. "But, dreams do come true."

Schulze lost his right leg five years ago in a truck crash. He has since found new purpose in wheelchair travels for charity. He hopes his journeys inspire people as well as spread awareness and raise funds for his choice causes: the Alzheimer's Association, the American Cancer Society, the March of Dimes, St. Jude Children's Hospital and organizations that support the families of fallen police officers.

The journey to Lambeau, he said, is not the last of his travels. He said he will continue to do as many charity rides as he possibly can.

sleduc@greenbay.gannett.com 'Like' Shelby Le Duc on Facebook and follow her on Twitter @pgshelbyleduc