on April 20, 2012
This is a story of hope. And the indomitable nature of the human spirit. And of never giving up.
Friends say that the best way to motivate is to tell me that something cannot be done. Just throw the gauntlet down. Challenge me. Tell me what I cannot do anymore and I will prove you wrong.
I am a weekend warrior bike racer who loves endurance racing. In 2008, I had just returned home from my best race ever and was training for my next event when I was the victim of a hit-and-run accident. Apparently, I was clipped by the side view mirror of a passing pickup truck and was rendered unconscious. I suffered two broken (shattered) fingers on my left hand, some road rash, and a traumatic injury to the brain. I was in a coma for about a week. As I recovered, my family and I faced many uncertainties. No one knew how well I would rebound even though my family and I were being told to expect a "full" recovery, whatever that meant.
I stayed physically active riding a stationary bike for several hours a day as I recovered. My neurologist did not want me back on a two-wheeled bike since I had some balance and vision issues. At best, I was being told that I may be able to ride again in a year to 18 months. So I wore the tires off my trainer. And I hiked and I walked. In other words, I stayed physically active. I also challenged myself mentally; reading, writing, learning new skills. I now have a Black Belt in Sudoku.
Well, six months after my incident, I got back on a bike and did not crash. So, I started training on the bike again. I rode every day for at least an hour. Three months later, I did a 25-mile mountain bike fund raiser and I was OK. Just 11 months after my injury, I got back into endurance racing and participated in the 24-hour Mountain Bike World Solo Championships. I won my class.
Within 18 months, my double vision had improved to the point that corrective lenses were not needed. In fact, they were an irritation and caused headaches.
The USA Today just ran an article containing information from the journal Neurology about a study that showed a high correlation between physical activity and exercise and delaying or possibly preventing the onset of Alzheimer's Disease.
I am being told that my recovery was/is miraculous. I attribute it to the fact that I was in great physical shape the day I was injured and stayed physically active as I recovered. Aerobic/anaerobic exercise works wonders for the brain. Increased blood flow and oxygen uptake are all good things. Lance Armstrong said that "It's not about the bike". For me, it is all about the bike!
As a survivor, I "get it". As I recovered from this "invisible injury", most people who knew me, even my family, did not understand what I was going through physically, mentally, or emotionally. Now, it is my turn to help other survivors. I talk with survivors and their caregivers regularly. I raise funds. I create awareness. I owe this much to those who are traversing the same steep pitches I did not too long ago. You have an ally.
There were many things I was told I would never do again. So, as is my custom, I proved them wrong.
Now it is your turn.
Never give up, never unclip.
Randy
Friends say that the best way to motivate is to tell me that something cannot be done. Just throw the gauntlet down. Challenge me. Tell me what I cannot do anymore and I will prove you wrong.
I am a weekend warrior bike racer who loves endurance racing. In 2008, I had just returned home from my best race ever and was training for my next event when I was the victim of a hit-and-run accident. Apparently, I was clipped by the side view mirror of a passing pickup truck and was rendered unconscious. I suffered two broken (shattered) fingers on my left hand, some road rash, and a traumatic injury to the brain. I was in a coma for about a week. As I recovered, my family and I faced many uncertainties. No one knew how well I would rebound even though my family and I were being told to expect a "full" recovery, whatever that meant.
I stayed physically active riding a stationary bike for several hours a day as I recovered. My neurologist did not want me back on a two-wheeled bike since I had some balance and vision issues. At best, I was being told that I may be able to ride again in a year to 18 months. So I wore the tires off my trainer. And I hiked and I walked. In other words, I stayed physically active. I also challenged myself mentally; reading, writing, learning new skills. I now have a Black Belt in Sudoku.
Well, six months after my incident, I got back on a bike and did not crash. So, I started training on the bike again. I rode every day for at least an hour. Three months later, I did a 25-mile mountain bike fund raiser and I was OK. Just 11 months after my injury, I got back into endurance racing and participated in the 24-hour Mountain Bike World Solo Championships. I won my class.
Within 18 months, my double vision had improved to the point that corrective lenses were not needed. In fact, they were an irritation and caused headaches.
The USA Today just ran an article containing information from the journal Neurology about a study that showed a high correlation between physical activity and exercise and delaying or possibly preventing the onset of Alzheimer's Disease.
I am being told that my recovery was/is miraculous. I attribute it to the fact that I was in great physical shape the day I was injured and stayed physically active as I recovered. Aerobic/anaerobic exercise works wonders for the brain. Increased blood flow and oxygen uptake are all good things. Lance Armstrong said that "It's not about the bike". For me, it is all about the bike!
As a survivor, I "get it". As I recovered from this "invisible injury", most people who knew me, even my family, did not understand what I was going through physically, mentally, or emotionally. Now, it is my turn to help other survivors. I talk with survivors and their caregivers regularly. I raise funds. I create awareness. I owe this much to those who are traversing the same steep pitches I did not too long ago. You have an ally.
There were many things I was told I would never do again. So, as is my custom, I proved them wrong.
Now it is your turn.
Never give up, never unclip.
Randy
Posted in: My Journal
