Michelle Turkelson, a Springfield native, shared her story of loosing a leg, below the knee, after being involved in a motorcycle accident that shattered the tibia in her right leg. "She talked about how her prosthesis allowed her to return to an on-your-feet career, as well as to swimming, cycling and playing with her grandchildren. Accident victims in most other parts of the world are not so fortunate, she told the group."
After listening to Michelle share her story, I shared the story of Maribelle, one of ROMP's recent patients, who has overcome an incredible amount of difficulty in the last two years of her life.
"Maribelle was brutally attacked with a machete by her husband; leaving her with two less arms and two children with no father. She left her hometown in Honduras to find the nearest place to receive prosthetic care. She, like so many others, ended up at ROMP’s clinic in Zacapa, Guatemala, hundreds of miles away from her home, during a coup d’etat that was unfolding this past summer in Honduras. She spent a week at the clinic with her Grandmother. ROMP staffers worked endlessly to treat her and some 25 other patients in just that one week! By the end of the week, we had finally managed to design her a pair of prosthetic arms that allowed her to write us a letter. Even after seeing hundreds of other patients go through physical therapy, or walk for the first time in years, I have still to this day never been witness to anything as courageous and powerful. The human spirit that allowed her to travel under the cover of darkness, with two recently amputated arms, following a shred of hope that she would someday be able to comb her daughters’ hair, tie her shoes, or even bathe was embodied in that moment that she wrote us the letter. ROMP has since treated hundreds of others just like Maribelle. We ride for these individuals."
Maribelle's story perfectly demonstrates the importance of ROMP's mission.
ROMP Riders departing. ROMP Rider Pat Mathay speaks with Michelle Turkelson (far right)
After both Michelle and I spoke, State Sen. Floyd Prozanski shared some kind words in support of our ride, as did Karmen Fore, Peter Defazio's District Director. Pat also addressed the crowd, expressing his quickly found appreciation for the city and community of Eugene.
State Senator Floyd Prozanski, June 19th, Skinner Butte Park
The send off went off without a hitch and we left the park with 50 riders in tow. We raised almost $500 that morning in just an hour, putting us over $20,000 so far.
The ride was spectacular. We broke the group up into a fast paced group and a slower paced group. Pat and I were, of course, in the slower paced group. It was a blast! We stopped along the way, shared stories, and encouraged each other through each hill. And it rained, thankfully only for a few minutes! A true rarity in Oregon.
Yesterday, on our frouth day, we biked with Jillian Hall, a recent amputee from Brookings Oregon. Jillian lost her left leg, below the knee, in an automobile accident. She had her leg amputated after being crutches bound for 14 months just last November. Since then, Jillian has courageously shared her story with victim impact panels and high school students, warning at the dangers of drunk driving (the driver in Jillian's accident had been drinking). Jillian was riding her bike for the fourth time since being fit with a prosthesis. Even though it was her fourth time, she rode 24 miles with us to Crescent City, Ca. It was a pleasure having her company yesterday morning. Her company could not have come at a better time; she gave us the perfect perspective and inspiration for the rest of our day's ride through the scenic, yet, unforgiving hills of the redwoods' forest.
Cycling through the Redwoods was impressive. After leaving Crescent City, we climbed over 3000 feet of elevation in just 35 miles!
We are in Mckinleyville, Ca at the moment, having just finished our fifth day of riding, with 320 miles worth of rubber slicked away from our tires. Our bodies have gone through some pretty intense transformations already, with tan lines to prove it. Tan lines that would make a boy giggle and a grown man look away in disgust.
Expect more blogs, photos, video, and media links to follow.
Thanks for supporting ROMP!
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