Back in the Saddle Again

I'm often asked how Lizard can ride his bike with Parkinson's. It certainly is not easy! But this guy never gives up. He's amazing. Two years ago, eight weeks after total knee replacement (which ramped up the Parkinson's but enabled him to walk), he was able to get a full revolution for the first time. (shown above)

Five days after emergency back surgery in August of 2020, he was able to push the pedals all the way around once again. Oh, we had such high hopes! But the back surgery took its toll on the Parkinson's. And, we've since learned his Parkinson's is an aggressive strain, moving a little faster than normal even without surgeries.

We've worked our way up on mileage (six to twelve miles) a handful of times now, only to have to start all over again from scratch every time we aren't able to get back on the bikes for a few days. Lizard can do three miles, but getting above that in winter is a real challenge.

Last weekend, he was able to pedal eight miles for the first time since September 2021. I was SO proud of him! He experienced some difficulties at about a mile, and he wanted to return to the car. He was done for the day. By the time we got back to the car, he was feeling a little better, and he kept right on pedaling. Boy, was I surprised!

We got about mile away from the car again, and once again, he thought he was done. This time, he wanted me to go back and get the car, then return to pick him up. I encouraged him to sit for a bit and try to collect his strength. He downed a couple of energy gel cubes and drank some water. After a few minutes, he was ready to ride back to the car. When we got back to the car, he kept right on going once again and retraced the entire four miles we'd just completed.

Every time we ride, he asks me if he's regaining his speed. Last weekend, I couldn't hold his pace for about 15 seconds. The rest of the ride got slower and slower, but every time he thought he couldn't go any further, he challenged himself and succeeded.

Sometimes, he has to fight for every single tiny little accomplishment. But he keeps right on trying. This guy is my champion. He's had so many reasons and opportunities to give up, but he refuses to become an invalid. When we got home, he listened to Foreigner's "I'm Gonna Win" about six times, then REO Speedwagon's "Keep Pushing."

It is not an easy road, but he keeps right on spinning those wheels!

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Words Behind the Words

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Dare to Dream

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The Fight Against MS

This is what my refurb iPhone can do in a dark theater...

I attended the Denver screening of "The Ride" to hear and meet "Amazing Race" host Phil Keoghan in person last week.

And all I can say is... "AMAZING!!!!!"

The Lizard and I have no cable at my house (by choice) and don't watch television (no time anyway), so I didn't know who this dude is, but last week's event was a benefit for the Colorado-Wyoming Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, with ALL proceeds going to the charity. Regal Cinemas charged nothing for hosting this event and even provided a larger theater than originally planned when tickets for the smaller theater sold out.

Keoghan pedaled his Specialized Roubaix (Snowcatcher rides a Specialized Allez!) all the way across the US in 2009 to raise money and awareness for multiple sclerosis research. He, his best friend, his dad and a former California highway patrol officer spent 43 days crossing the US, averaging 100 miles per day and stopping in 39 cities, including Pagosa Springs and Denver, en route from Los Angeles to New York City. They raised $500,000 for MS in less than two months!!

When I first heard about this movie, I wondered if Keoghan knew anything about cycling. Last week, I found out he shares a love of two wheels just like me, although he says his riding across America dreams have been achieved, and he has no plans to repeat the feat.

He was racing his beater-up bicycle around the island of Antigua at the age of 10 and 11. So he knew how to ride, and he knew how to fuel his body. He didn't, however, know how hard 3,500 miles in 43 days can be on the body. This was not an easy task, but he rose to the occasion, even after being "bumped" by a car (in Colorado, of all places) and taking a good bite out of angled railroad tracks with more than 1,000 miles left to ride. He endoed, bruised his hip and leg, cut his face, tore his jersey and shorts and banged his helmeted head, and yet, following a visit to the local emergency room, he kept going. He didn't want to let down all the people who were following his progress and waiting for him in towns ahead.

Keoghan didn't just ride. He made appearances before riding each day, he made appearances after riding each day, he took the time to meet and talk to each person who stood in line to see him, signing autographs and listening to their stories, and he fulfilled all his "Amazing Race" duties and press interviews along the way. He battled Colorado's infamous wind. Oh, and he also kept up a blog! (which sadly, is no longer available) Having done a few long rides of my own, none this long, I think he did not sleep during those 43 days. In my opinion, he's got a little bit of Superman deep down inside.

To me, it appears Keoghan is doing for multiple sclerosis what Lance Armstrong has done for cancer. People with MS drove for up to four hours to meet Keoghan in the towns he stopped in during his ride, and two of the people he met along the way are his best memories of the ride, he said during a question-and-answer period after the screening of the film in Denver last week.

I'm not going to tell you about those two men because if you see the film, you'll quickly figure out which guys he's talking about. Both will bring tears to your eyes and give you just the determination you need to keep your own goals and priorities in sight.

Keoghan said he got involved with MS because many, many people kept approaching him for sponsorship of a wide variety of very worthy causes. He said he didn't want to do a hit and run... He didn't want to sponsor something for one day or one week, then move on to something else. He wanted to sponsor something he could put time and effort into, something he could devote a chunk of his life to.

After he formed a youth cycling team to benefit MS plus groom up-and-coming athletes for potential professional cycling careers, he learned a cousin has MS. So now, just like the rest of us who know too many people afflicted with multiple sclerosis, he has a connection. He is fighting MS from the heart.

This movie was among the most inspirational I've ever seen, and I highly recommend it. Take a good amount of tissue, though. This movie will hit you in places in your heart you didn't know exist.

Meanwhile, in my own fund-raising drive to benefit the Colorado-Wyoming Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, "Carol" put me at the halfway mark on Monday, which means I am now a Premium Pedaler for the 2012 MS-150. I once again will get to register early, and I will get a discount on my registration fees. The most exciting thing, of course, is that this milestone was reached before half of my team (Great-West) has even registered! You, my readers, are amazing in your own right! Thank you for keeping the drive alive!

The Lizard is just $30 from his halfway mark, and if he is able to achieve his fund-raising goal this year, he will be a Premium Pedaler for the first time ever. And that certainly will make his Lizard Tail wag!

2009 Start Line

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Wishes for a New Decade

And here is the link, in case you are unable to view the incredible above.

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Fingerprint Friday

Steven Curtis Chapman sings:

I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know its true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with
The fingerprints of God

PamperingBeki challenges bloggers each Friday to discover, recognize, see and share God's fingerprints with the rest of the world. See instructions to join in here. Also check the other blogs linked there to see more great Fingerprints!

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Last weekend I was honored to serve as official photographer for the SMA Walk and Roll. Children with spinal muscular atrophy typically lose (or never have) voluntary muscle control. That means, depending upon when the disease strikes, they may lose the ability to crawl, sit up or walk. Some even lack the ability to swallow. In many cases, SMA is fatal.

These children cope and survive in a world where they see others able to move freely and function wholly. Parents of these children know their angels may not be with them for long. Friends of these families witness the pain, suffering and challenges faced, as well as triumphs, courage and compassion modeled, by children diagnosed with SMA.

Each year, children with SMA and their families and friends gather to raise money for necessary equipment and hopefully one day, a cure. Participants run, walk, skate, bike, roll, volunteer, and sometimes just hand out medals to those who cross the finish line, to honor the angels who have gone home and the angels who are still fighting the good battle. It is a marvelous way to celebrate life and the spirit of giving.

Fingerprints abound.

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