In this Jan. 26, 2011 image made from video, Erik Bendl of Kentucky, rolls a giant globe through Cocoa, Fla. Bendl is walking around the U.S. with his dog, Nice, to raise awareness of diabetes. (AP)
A Louisville, Ky., man has walked more than 2,000 miles in an effort to raise awareness about the disease that took the life of his mother.
Erik Bendl was inspired to walk in honor of his mother, Gerta Bendl, a Kentucky representative who died at the age of 54 from complications of diabetes. So far, he has walked through 23 states over the past couple of years.
He is currently making his way from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Savannah, Ga., with his dog “Nice” by his side. And that’s not the only thing that’s accompanying Bendl on his journey – the 48-year-old is also rolling a giant inflatable globe around.
Calling himself "World Guy," Bendl walks 10 miles a day and sleeps with his dog in his van. At the end of the day he gets someone to drive him to his vehicle.
This is his fifth long walk since he started in 2007.
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The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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