And then there were none. We started with over twenty rehab hospitals to visit and soon got into a routine. Ride our bikes a lot during the traveling days, carry luggage into the hotels, be "rock stars" as we arrived at the various hospitals, then talk to every patient before we left. It was about half way through the trip when we even were aware that the end was coming, and then we started the bittersweet count down. After riding so many miles, and touching so many lives, the ride we had long looked forward to is finally over.
So we asked ourselves the question - what did we get out of this two month, cross country bike ride? Two rookies (Dick and John) were led by two veterans (Abel and Joe) and supported by several helpers (Doc, Richard and AJ) in the experience of a lifetime. We were just common guys, very different in many ways (except the fact that we're all amputees), coming together for a common goal - ride bikes across the country to demonstrate to other amputees and rehab patients with severe injuries or serious illnesses that there still can be life, even a fun and meaningful life, after amputation or other serious medical event. What did this experience mean to us? What did we learn?
We learned things on many different levels. On the most basic level, we experienced the beauty of the United States, coast to coast. From the waters of the Pacific, through the heat and desert of California, Arizona and New Mexico, climbing and descending the mountains of Colorado, across the flatlands of Oklahoma and Texas (will it ever end?), then into the Gulf Coast states and the endless, and beautiful, vegetation, leading finally into Florida with its rivers, animals and humidity, the journey across America finally ended on a beach of the Atlantic. From the seat of a bike, we had a vantage point not often taken. We live in a beautiful - spectacular - country, and we have a responsibility to it.
We also have a country of decent, sharing people who are willing to show kindness to strangers. This was demonstrated to us many times, from the two formerly homeless guys who waved us down on the road and gave us their last eight dollars, to the restaurant chef and owner who gave us the best seats in the house and "comped" our meals, just because they appreciated what we were doing. It happened so often that we are forced to rethink our perception of Americans and the problems this country faces. We were impressed with the support we got along the way - in the hotels, the restaurants, by the policemen and fire fighters who escorted us, the media who reported on our progress, the common people who shook our hands, and by our sponsor, HealthSouth. We have a wonderful country, filled with generous and kind people.
Many of the patients we met are fighters - in a very positive sense. Most of the patients we talked to, some with injuries or sicknesses far surpassing our own medical issues, demonstrated to us their fighting spirit. When they told us their stories of their injuries/sicknesses, their hopes and dreams, they made it clear that they weren't giving up. Although they were often in different stages of recovery, most patients were very willing to work hard with their therapists towards their recovery. Hopefully, a little boost from some role models (amputees demonstrating that life can still be fun) will help them renew their efforts and get them on the road to recovery even faster.
We hope that we have changed some lives along the way. While patient's eyes lit up and they cheered when the AAA "rock stars" rode into the hospitals, we hope we have touched them in a deeper level. We hope that we've shared some of our joy in living, and that by seeing us, the patients can see where they can be. We tried to bring a message of hope, by our own very visual disabilities and our ability to continue with meaningful lives. And we hope we've become better, more humble and caring citizens as a result of this two month experience. Thanks to all for giving us this opportunity! |
