Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Happy Anniversary!



While some people celebrate wedding anniversaries or birth anniversaries, I seem to celebrate a different kind (in addition to the norm). March 26, 1986. It was 28 years ago, but yet I can remember the day like it was yesterday.

It was a Wednesday, just like today, and I was home from school for the week for Easter week. I got on my 10 speed and set off for a long ride up the San Gabriel River bike trail starting at my apartment in Seal Beach, Ca.

Towards the end of my 20 mile ride, I (like other young kids at the time) felt it necessary to get my bike registered in case it got stolen. I stopped at the police station and they said they didn't handle that, but try town hall or the fire department. Town hall didn't either and so I trekked across the street to the fire house. They registered bikes, but only on Saturdays.

This was too bad because my bike was destroyed not 2 minutes after I left. I, carelessly, pulled out from between two parked cars and rode my bike headlong into an oncoming Volkswagen Rabbit/Golf.

On this day, 28 years ago, I broke my neck and became an incomplete quadriplegic. Since then, I have become a completely different (better in my mind) person and have had many experiences that I will remember forever (some bad, most wonderful).

Needless to say, I got back on a bike and have had fun both on and off the bicycle seat. As I have aged, I find myself using 3 wheels instead of 2, but not all the time. I am ok with that as I have really enjoyed the past 28 years. And now that I have the Trekinetic K2, it has reopened all the roads I found closing up.

5 comments:

  1. You impress the hell out of me. Your joy for living and your twisted look on life is so refreshing.

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    1. Thank you. Your words are too kind. What kind, I do not know... ;)

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  2. Hi James
    Delighted to have found your blog, because I'm considering getting a Trekinetic (albeit the powered version). Do you still have yours? If so, would you mind telling me how it has stood up to 18 months' use. I'm hoping to find something reliable AND genuinely all terrain....

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  3. Glad you found it! I have neglected putting up more posts, but I have really put it through its paces. I have been hard on it and it has held up well. It is definitely all-terrain. Having the large wheels in the front makes all the difference. I have sped down hills and have had fun on trails—things I couldn't do with my old sports chair.
    Mike at Trekinetic was also very good at helping me through the ordering process.
    Please let him know I helped in your decision!
    Any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask!
    Best,
    James

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  4. That's really helpful, thanks! I'll get in touch with them - and definitely mention your name.

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