local nbc station's segment on my stepdad's story!

a few weeks ago i wrote about my stepdad's 180 mile hand cycle ride & mentioned how the local nbc station followed his whole 3 day journey. the segment aired last night - here it is!



thank you michelle boudin & jacob curtis for your hard work on this story. can't wait to see the other pieces done about a few other families within the rehab program over the next few days!

cycle to the sea 2013!

in march of 2011 my family's world changed forever when my stepdad suffered a spinal stroke leaving him paralyzed. i have written about his story here before, it's pretty amazing.

as a former marathon runner & kick ass skiier, brian has continued to say extremely active even though he can no longer use his legs. last year, he participated in his first cycle to the sea: a 180 mile hand cycle ride from charlotte, nc to cherry grove, sc. i wrote about it here. cycle to the sea is that annual fundraiser for his adaptive sports program - and brian has been the top fundraiser for the past 2 years! 

thursday morning they took off from a local hospital. last year brian's friend dan rode with him. this year, dan rode again & brian's best friend from NYC few down to join in on the "fun." they break it up into 3 days, about 60 miles a day. 

{tommy, b, & dan getting ready to leave on day 1}

{end of day 1. mom had to bring brian some things & brought little bert!}

on friday afternoon, momma picked me & her friend debbie up and we were off to meet them at the end of day 2's ride in mullins, sc. we hung out with them for a few hours while they had dinner & then we headed down to the beach. after a quick dinner and a few glasses of wine, we were all excited to crawl into bed. 

{day 2 is over!}

saturday morning we woke up and headed to the outlets. more on that later because i seriously feel like i robbed jcrew. after a few hours of shopping, i headed back to the hotel to get in a run. 3 beautiful miles of beach later, i changed into my bathing suit and met momma and her friends back on the beach. 

{post beach run}

{sweet carolina}

around 3:30pm, we got word that they were about 8 miles out and so we headed to the "finish line" outside the hotel.  watching all the hand cyclist & "able bodies" ride in after all they have been through for the last 3 days is pretty emotional. i am so extremely proud of my stepdad for all that he has continued to accomplish over the last 2 years. most people would give up. brian hasn't even thought about it. 

{the whole gang}

the local charlotte nbc station (wcnc) followed brian for the entire 180 miles & were at the finish line to get the last of their footage. 3 days & many hours of film later, they will air his story sometime in may. it's pretty incredible to have this opportunity to share his story & continue to raise support for his adaptive sports program. we are so proud of you, brian!

{interviewing brian after day 2}

{set up at the finish}

it was an awesome weekend that has left me seriously considering actually riding it with b & the guys next year.  we'll see!

cycle to the sea!

one of the most devastating things about my stepdad's stroke was the loss of his ability to do the physical activities he loves. he's a marathon runner and a double black diamond skier. he's been an athlete his whole life and a damn good one. so after his inpatient rehab, he started playing wheelchair rugby through his adaptive sports program. and through rugby, learned about this little event called "cycle to the sea," which is one of the two annual fundraisers to raise money for their program.

cycle to the sea is a 180 mile bike ride from monroe, nc to cherry grove, sc. the team completes the distance in 3 days, going 60 miles each day. as most participants are quadriplegics or paraplegics, their "bike" is actually a hand cycle. they ride with "able bodies" who assist when the hand cyclists need help up hills or just need a little extra push. i could go on for several blog posts about what a wonderful group of people it takes to pull off this event, but it still wouldn't do it justice. there are some pretty amazing people in our world.

each cyclist had to raise a minimum of $1,000 to participate in the ride. brian raised over $15,000, and there are still more donations coming. the most money ever raised by an individual before brian was $3,000. we are so lucky to have family and friends who believe in brian and what he is doing. this money will allow the program to continue to function the way it does - giving people who have lost everything something to hang onto. i am so grateful.

brian, proud doesn't even begin to cover it. you inspire me daily. you are a true testament to what it means to never give up.  i love you, b!

{taking off on day 1 from monroe}

{after i surprised brian on day 2 at their hotel. this is him & his best friend dan, who rode all 180 miles with brian. so thankful for friendship.}

{crossing the finish line!}

{champs.}

{team freak!}

{the whole gang.}

visit brian's fundraising page here.


brian's press:

charlotte observer article

news 14 carolina interview