Cycling to Save Lives

Before We Are Project Hero Ride to Recovery, I dealt with multiple health issues being confined to a wheelchair. It would take 3 people to get me in and out of a bike to ride every Saturday. My legs were usually swollen and blue due to circulation problems. I used to take enough opioids to kill a horse, which almost killed me multiple times, especially when taken with Fentanyl. I suffered from severe depression, TBI, and PTSD. The short version is, I became strong enough to ride 6 days a week and do 300+ miles a week. The freedom riding gave me made me feel alive again and best of all, nobody realized that I was in a wheelchair. People treat and talk to you differently when you're in a wheelchair. As long as I can ride, my legs don’t swell up and they don’t turn blue and purple. I have gotten myself off all my opioids, thanks to my bike. I have the clear thinking now to control my pain with my mind through exercise which helps with the continuing TBI and PTSD.

While living in Las Vegas, I got out of the house and was riding with We Are Project Hero and started talking with fellow veterans and first responders and realized that I was not alone, and others thought and felt like I did. My physical issues did make sense, even though some doctors tried to convince me they did not. My mind and body started to heal, and I found a group where I was accepted and a place I could actually help and be a benefit again. We Are Project Hero was a group and place I can call home -- I felt normal and happy again.

Fast forward to my move to Texas in 2021. I found the group Operation Comfort and started riding with them. However, the advancing neuropathy in my feet and legs started to become an issue and it is becoming increasingly difficult to pedal with my feet and legs. Hence, I switched from a recumbent bike to a donated handcycle since I never know on a day-to-day basis when the neuropathy will flare up. Although I need shoulder replacements and having gone through previous shoulder surgeries, my orthopedic doctor indicated the next replacement would have to be a reverse technique which will leave my shoulders with very limited mobility. With his permission, I choose to exercise and strengthen the muscles around the shoulder joints to prolong avoiding surgery. And October 5, 2024 I suffered a stroke which affected my whole left side – head to toe! As the healing continues from the stroke, although the nerve endings sometimes feel like they are on fire, my nerves send me a constant reminder that this is what I have to go through toward the healing process and being able to use my muscles.

May 5-10, I will be riding with We Are Project Hero to make a difference in the lives of thousands of veterans and first responders, as well as their families and communities. I will be riding from San Antonio to the Ft. Worth/Arlington area.

There is a minimum fund raising amount in order to participate. I am asking for donations to help support the cost of travel, lodging, meals, equipment and clothing for disabled first responders and veterans like myself to be able to participate. I know from previous participation that the camaraderie from this group really lifts spirits and improves, not only physical health and wellness, but mental wellness as well.

My goals in life are to inspire, motivate and make people laugh.

I thank you in advance for any amount that can be donated.

Patrick Kelly