swampy
Moderator
Registered: 02/16/06
Posts: 4,859
|
| | 04/18/09 | Reply with quote | #1 |
|
Let's see your pictures and hear your stories!
Let's recap to start the story and bring viewers who didn't attend up to speed........
Stephanie is 12 years old. She is a fraternal twin. Brandy was born a normal healthy child, Stephanie was not. She was born with Spina Bifida.
Stephanie was not to live to see her first birthday let alone her 12th.
Over the years she has had numerous surgeries ( 10 to 15 at least ) such as: when she was born, all her spinal fluid was in a huge hump, 2 bladders were outside her body, no that was not a typo. Catheters had to be inserted into her kidneys to keep them functioning. Over the years as she got bigger, she needed to have the bladders put into her body a little at a time. Stephanie was totally recreated. She was born without a bottom, she has a colostomy, intestines were used to make ureters. Besides 2 bladders she also has 2 uterus's and 4 ovaries, and an extra row of teeth. These will be removed one day. She will also have to have a rod placed in her back to make it straight. She can eat like you and i, but also has a feeding tube.
She requires a hand pedaled bike due to the fact that she can not walk.
There are 5 kids in this household. 2 in their late teens and 3 younger kids, Stephanie being one of them. It has now been 3 years since she has been in the hospital. The surgery used on her back when she was first born was experimental and she is the only child to have survived it. There was a video taken during the procedure and it is now used for teaching at All Children's Hospital.
Today she gets around by wheelchair or crawls on the floor. Smart as a whip, never misses a beat and still has a bit of a rough road ahead of her. This year she has made honor roll. The family would love to get her a bike but unfortunately it is not in the budget and that is why I have discussed this with Laura to see what resources are out there for Stephanie. It is time for her to start riding bikes with her siblings.
So DDS stepped up to the plate and organized a fun day of street and adventure riding to help a girl get a bike.
Some couldn't make it and donated ahead of time. But one thing is certain: the folks of DDS have the biggest hearts of anyone!
...and here's the story from the riders who came....
|
| Loading... | |
dirtydog
Kazoo Virtuoso
Registered: 04/05/09
Posts: 24
| |
RichardD
DangerousDad Fanclub President
Registered: 11/14/06
Posts: 300
| |
rick68fl
Where's Bert?
Registered: 09/10/08
Posts: 111
|
| | 04/18/09 | Reply with quote | #4 |
|
You know... I've been around over the years and I've seen a lot. I'm pretty cynical and for the most part, don't really let things phase me much.
But the look on that adorable little girl's face when she saw that bike was just priceless. It put a lump in my throat that still has not gone away. Even now I still can't stop thinking about her.
I had a chance to chat with Stephanie before we gave her the bike and she is the sweetest and cutest little angel I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. She is smart as a whip and has the best sense of humor imaginable. Despite everything she has been through in her life, she has a terrific attitude and was a pure pleasure to spend time with. I am grateful I got to meet her today. I am also grateful that I am part of this great group of people that was able to brighten this little girl's day.
Rick
|
| Loading... | |
dirtydog
Kazoo Virtuoso
Registered: 04/05/09
Posts: 24
|
| | 04/18/09 | Reply with quote | #5 |
|
Sweetest little angel???? Yep, she has you fooled alright.
I just got got a text from Jim, her dad. I sent him one asking if she is tired from the bike yet. He said no and the bike has the flag attached already.
|
| Loading... | |
RichardD
DangerousDad Fanclub President
Registered: 11/14/06
Posts: 300
|
| | 04/18/09 | Reply with quote | #6 |
|
I certainly hope that bike is locked in a garage at night . If not, I'll donate a kryptonite lock and hopefully there's something to attatch it to. |
| Loading... | |
dirtydog
Kazoo Virtuoso
Registered: 04/05/09
Posts: 24
|
| | 04/18/09 | Reply with quote | #7 |
|
Its in the garage. He lives in st pete. It will definately roll away if it isnt in the garage. |
| Loading... | |
krlos
I'm Still A New Guy....Kick Me!
Registered: 10/04/07
Posts: 26
| |
krlos
I'm Still A New Guy....Kick Me!
Registered: 10/04/07
Posts: 26
| |
jwciv
Sure I Have Friends.
I Just Can't Name Them All Now....
Registered: 03/16/09
Posts: 342
|
| | 04/19/09 | Reply with quote | #10 |
|
New guy here. Had a great time. I will promote the club with pride.
John
|
| Loading... | |
MiamiMike
Official DDS Dance Instructor
Registered: 03/12/06
Posts: 817
|
| | 04/19/09 | Reply with quote | #11 |
|
Good to see her smile
She is gonna have some big arms
after a month or so
Great day for a ride
good seein my ole friends
and made some new ones
|
| Loading... | |
krlos
I'm Still A New Guy....Kick Me!
Registered: 10/04/07
Posts: 26
|
| | 04/19/09 | Reply with quote | #12 |
|
Thanks Mike for riding with us. I liked your house a lot. I agree with you, it was an awesome unforgettable day. I look forward to the next ride.
|
| Loading... | |
XRDan
Emergency Parking Only
Registered: 09/08/08
Posts: 103
|
| | 04/19/09 | Reply with quote | #13 |
|
This was a very good cause,and the SMILE on Stephanie's face was PRICE -LESS when she first saw the bike. GSA-DAN |
| Loading... | |
rick68fl
Where's Bert?
Registered: 09/10/08
Posts: 111
| |
dirtydog
Kazoo Virtuoso
Registered: 04/05/09
Posts: 24
| |
