Restore Terri's Path to Recovery: Replace Her Bike

Ischemic (massive) Stroke Recovery to individual independence takes a staggering HALT as therapy bike was stolen.

For Terri Liestman, her recumbent three-wheeler was a vehicle to recovery from a horrific kind of stroke that few live to tell about. But the bike also propelled her to a sense of freedom and independence.

And now it’s gone, carried away last Friday morning in a pickup by two guys who got carried away with the thrill of making off with a niche bike that few people would be able to use.

Liestman, 69, suffered the stroke 10 years ago. “It was what they call a massive ischemic stroke — very serious,” she said Monday morning at her home near the Lesner Bridge. “The left side of my body was totally paralyzed. Only about 2% of people survive that serious of a stroke and even fewer walk.”

Her doctor offered little hope. “He was afraid I would never walk again,” she said.

A couple of years later, she began working with trainer Mara Bates of Chesapeake. A key part of Liestman’s rehab, which was already against all odds, has been the recumbent bike. “It works all the muscles in both legs,” Bates said. “The strength it has built has led her to be able to walk without a cane.”

“I’ve recovered some movement, and that’s primarily through therapy and exercise as I do every day,” Liestman said. She has a better state of muscle and a better state of mind.

“It’s exhilarating to be on the bike because you’re moving fast,” Liestman said. “Once you have a disability like mine, you’re always moving slow.” But then early Friday morning, Liestman’s bike lane to recovery hit a wall.

The bike was STOLEN. Two men and a pickup truck stole it at approximately 3:30 am on Sept 12th, Friday morning.

“It’s sad. It hurts my heart,” Bates said. “Terri’s a role model. She went from no independence to fighting her way to independence, to getting the driver’s license, to living alone. That (just) doesn’t happen.”

Losing the bike is losing independence. Replacing the bike: $3500.00

--see the News Story

https://www.wavy.com/video/thieves-stall-vb-womans-bike-path-to-recovery/11077893