Skip Getz began walking the 1,285 miles from Los Gatos, Calif., to Boulder, Colo., on Easter Sunday to achieve a better life for his family.

He hopes to cover the vast terrain of mountains and desert by mid-June where he will reunite with his family.

Getz covered the nearly 300 miles from his home in California before arriving in Fallon on Thursday. He stayed two days in a compensated room at the Fallon Comfort Inn, walking nearly 40 miles each day before heading east out of town.

After the family overcame many medical challenges, Getz realized he needed to find a better way to provide for their future.

Although he has recovered from a pituitary tumor, Getz said he will never become 100 percent healthy and is uninsurable by today's standards because of his pre-existing condition.

Getz is now able to return to work; however, if he gains employment, he said he risks losing the only health care the family has - Medicare.

"The walk came as an inspiration," he said. "I wouldn't feel right asking for help without giving something in return."

Getz was diagnosed with the lemon-sized brain tumor that ended his employment and income last year.

After he had surgery, he said "It was like a big cloud was lifted."

He began walking within a month. After a couple months, he decided it was time to get in better shape and prepare himself for the journey across the West.

Within weeks he was hiking more than 10 miles a day in the mountains, he said.

Getz's reason for walking to raise money for a new start is not entirely for himself - it is also for his son, Galen, 6, who has cerebral palsy.

"There are programs and alternative treatments that are very expensive but effective. He needs to be able to walk," said Getz. "Galen wants nothing more than to walk on his own."

Galen spent five weeks at a camp where he received unorthodox treatment developed in Hungary.

"He improved more in five weeks than he had in a year and a half of conventional therapy," said Getz. "After the camp, we decided the best chance for him to walk was to get him into a program like the camp."

Prior to Getz becoming ill, and after the rehabilitation camp, he relocated his family from Colorado to California where a school was available for Galen.

Since Galen has been in therapy at the school, he can make a few steps on his own with the aid of a handle in front of him.

One treatment Galen receives is with horses once a week. However, his parents would like to see him use the treatment several times a week, but the cost is very high and not covered by insurance.

"Riding the horse forces his legs apart and has helped him immensely," said Getz.

Getz was approached by someone who could help him achieve independence once again by becoming a partner in an organic business out of Colorado. Instead of asking for help to gain the money needed to invest, he decided he would earn it by walking nearly 1,300 miles to Colorado.

"I could intentionally stay in the low-income bracket and on the system to cover my medical expenses," he said. "However, its not my intention to stay poor and rely on the government."

The insurance system in the United States needs to be revamped, he said.

"It's not my goal to point fingers at what's wrong, but to raise awareness that there needs to be changes in the health care system," said Getz.

For more information on Getz's walk or to donate, visit www.skipswalk.com