Saturday, July 19, 2003

Montgomery Visitation

Go to calendar

Home           Previous Page    Next Page  Photo Album

What do you get when you combine a generous HealthSouth staff, many tough-minded patients, goofy amputees on bicycles, and about 60 motorcyclists who blare their horns when you enter a parking lot? A wonderful visitation! Today we visited HealthSouth in Montgomery, AL, where we had lots of opportunity to draw inspiration from the personal stories of many delightful patients who are determined to overcome their physical limitations.

Welcoming us at HealthSouth were MANY representatives of several local motorcycle clubs who seemed delighted at the boys' accomplishments. And 60 bikes all honking at the same time makes a lot of noise, but it sounded great to us.

Jim was in heaven today, with many people offering him rides. Poor Jim... No more motorcycling until he gets home to Ohio in a little over a week. We were reunited today with Keith and Glen, two of our favorite guest riders. What great guys. And we finally got to meet Jeanne, Keith's wife, who we "tormented" with stories of Goat Boy via this journal weeks ago in Colorado. What a woman, and it was easy to understand why Keith waxed on frequently about being eager to get home to Alabama.

It was a nice crowd riding in this morning, including Maggie Farrell, John Keating and two of his boys, Asa and Lane. Others included Glen and two other Alabama Artificial Limb staff. Last and certainly not least was Goat Boy himself, who led us into HealthSouth from the seat of his Harley.

Several of the motorcyclists who welcomed us today were themselves amputees. Get that 2004 application card into us, Kip!

Trish was very supportive meeting all the amputees who attended the visitation today. All of us signed this man's pillow. The boys pose below with two local amputees.

Jim got a ride from this woman, who was also an amputee. She rides a trike and thoughtlessly allowed Jim to ride behind her for a while. Unfortunately, both trike and Jim are still missing. Jim, if you read this, give Joe and Trish a call as soon as you can...

A group shot of all "cyclists" who attended, both the "true" cyclists who pedal, as well as those who get a bit of help from REALLY loud and powerful engines.

The most touching moment of the day, when Meredy and Animal healed their rifts from last year's ride and were reconciled today. It seems that Animal was most heartbroken last year because Meredy left to return to her family without him. But all wounds have been healed.

Mark was most grateful today because his brother Steven drove over from Hattiesburg, MS with his son Miles to visit. It made the day, as far as Mark was concerned. Thanks, Steve!

Tomorrow we ride to Dothan, AL, which is only one of three rides left to the boys. s days of riding. Two more visitations. One more sky dive. And then the 2003 Amputees Across America ride will be over. People ask us if we'll be sad. The boys scratch their heads and answer, "only when our butts have healed."

Return to Top of Page