A 99-YEAR-OLD BIRTHDAY ADVENTURE!

A 99th birthday to remember! LIFE IS AN ADVENTURE! My mom’s motto! And I want her adventure to continue until her last day on this earth…in the heart and spirit of who she was, what she has done, and who she still is and what she still does—loving and inspiring people, even now with in-and-out progressing dementia.

 

In the 1960s, my mom was a pioneer in making bicycling for adults front and center. She and my dad started the first Bikeways in Homestead, Florida, and mom worked tirelessly without pay to promote the many benefits of riding a bicycle and teaching bicycle safety. She was also an amazing and enthusiastic fundraiser for cycling and, in addition, raised over $20,000 for The American Cancer Society using Bike-A-Thons as the means. She was a visionary in other ways, too, such as commissioning two men to build a bicycle for 6.

 

 

 

 

When mom recently told someone with great dismay that her “children” (we’re in our 60s and 70s!) wouldn’t let her ride a bike anymore, I think it became a challenge for me to find a way for her to ride something other than her stationary exercycle. And, yes. She still exercises on one of those. But she’s a bit bored with that. Haha. It’s not too adventurous, you see, to pedal and get nowhere and see no one and nothing new. No stories to tell. No smiles and laughter to exchange with passersby or a fellow adventurer such as a great grandchild seated with you. And no wind in the hair, bird sightings, or squirrels and bunnies scampering past.

 

It’s true that we curtailed her cycling… when she was about 85! So, for me, what better way to celebrate her 99th birthday and her life and contributions than to get her “back on the trails” with a ride in a pedicab or trishaw (an innovative “passenger” bike that’s being used to bring joy and adventure to the lives of the elderly)--AND…to use that to continue giving back with more than just a ride for mom! Here’s how…

 

As I investigated all of this, I was directed to a wonderful nonprofit called “Cycling Without Age” that is pairing cyclists with seniors in assisted living facilities to get them outside in the fresh air to see and feel and hear and breathe in the sights and sounds of LIFE! If you take the time to listen to the TED talk of the founder of this nonprofit (on YouTube or on their website), I think you will find yourself inspired and in tears, as I was, to make a difference—whether in this particular way or another, to not forget and sideline our seniors and their stories and passions and desires. And to get them back into life—that not only their age has precluded this, but also Covid— a tragedy physically, but also such a mental health disruptor for so many—maybe even especially seniors? My mom used to love going to the grocery store with me before Covid. The bonus of this cycling outing is that it is nearly “Covid risk-free” for the elderly (and others). It’s an outdoor activity! (If there is more than one passenger they can still wear their masks).

 

So… I would love to raise the money to purchase a used pedicab (that we found on sale locally!), or a trishaw (much more expensive) or, if not enough money comes in, to rent a pedicab locally, to give her “rides of her life” that she didn’t think she would ever have again--out on one of Florida’s beautiful trails next to the county history board and rest pavilion that tells the story of her contribution to cycling! This was built just 3 years ago to give bicyclists a place to park for the trail ride. She’s still giving into her 90s!

 

 

And, when we are done giving her rides, we (Jesse and I) will either continue giving rides to more seniors in our area (YAY! Wea actually applied to start a chapter here!) or donate the bike to a nearby chapter of “Cycling Without Age” so that this gift can keep on giving for many more life-changing rides—for the “drivers” and the riders-- for years to come. Wow. And that part is what Mom would love the most—to know she’s still loving and helping people!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s a beautiful thing and I so much want to be a part of making it happen on every level. All these dreams and visions have now become MY dream, too! And I wanted to include others, like you! Who doesn’t like to make happy and inspiring dreams come true! AND to ignite MORE dreams! Yep. Inspiration is contagious. And so is love!  Let’s make inspiration and love more contagious than this virus!

“Love is when someone else’s happiness is your happiness.”

 

Thank you for any contribution you can make for this wild and wonderful idea that is full of joy—something we so need these days! Something positive and uplifting!

 

No matter our age, we need to stay physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually healthy by getting involved with our communities by interacting multi-generationally (SO important!) and sharing that time together in God’s creation! The founder of “Cycling Without Age” said that just ONE RIDE changed people’s outlook and even their sleeping patterns and the medications they took for anxiety and depression. A so-called inconsequential little bike ride matters. Because every single person matters. And we are all connected.

 

I believe with all my heart that as long as we are alive on this planet, we ALL have something to give and share.

 

I will keep contributors updated via GoFundMe and my personal Facebook page with photos and the birthday celebration video.

 

For the record, the used pedicab that seats 5 will cost about $3,500. The trishaw costs about $12,000! And the rental is much less of course. But you know what? When I thought of “settling” on the rental and not getting anyone else involved, it didn’t feel right. I wanted to share this opportunity to give with others and to make us all a part of giving many, many seniors some life-changing adventure rides—at a time in their lives when they are least expecting it! And this also brings awareness of these kinds of bicycles/tricycles that can be used for seniors, yes, but also the handicapped. I for one learned a lot.

 

Let’s make this happen!

 

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” Helen Keller (Mom and Helen would’ve been buddies and surely would’ve taken one of these rides together!)