this is the Big Bike that we rode today, all 27 of us in one big bike. it is motor powered augmented by the participants' pedalling. one does not have to know how to ride a bike (like me) to get on this one, you're never ever going to fall off, unless you want to or some mishap happens.
someone from the foundation drives it. it was built strictly for the foundation's fundraising. there's a lot of charitable organizations vying for the public's money so they have to come up with something unique to get those donations coming in.
for a long time, i've been supporting the breast cancer fundraising, 10 years of taking people's pledges for me to run the 5 kilometres or so every year. but this year i'm changing gears. my mother died of hypertensive stroke at the age of 41 after suffering from a stroke four years previous to her death. i hope that in some small way, i can contribute to find the cure to this disease and to make people be aware of the importance of a healthy lifestyle to avoid this and other diseases.
thankfully, i have not suffered from high blood pressure or diabetes, even though i eat like a pig. my blood pressure is normally on the very low side and i'd like to keep it that way because of my mother's health history.
WOW....thats incredibly inventive. Great capture of it. So sorry to hear about your mom. Its incredibly honorable and beautiful that your riding for her and others like her. The ability to stop and repair any type of stroke has come a long way. But the future is looking positive. We just sat in on a lecture by our head neuro surgeon. Its truely amazing what advancements their making, and whats projected to come.
@losthorizon - that is nice to hear, beau. i know of some people who had recovered fully from stroke, and a few others who weren't and they remind me all the time of what happened to my mother. she was a very energetic person, and a positive person, too. but when she could no longer do the things she needed or wanted to do, it just broke her heart. to her, it was no way to live a life. but it's good and comforting to know the advances we are making. thank you, beau. much appreciated.
@bkbinthecity - it comes to alberta every year, as per the heart and stroke alberta website, but it doesn't say there if it's in calgary or edmonton. maybe you should check with them. it is a fun way to raise money for a good cause. thank you, brian.
@steeler - oh, yes! we were the loudest, noisiest and most fun team, according to the driver and people would just stop walking or doing anything just to stare at us, wave or smile! i lost one of their tambourines though. oooops! thank you, howard.
Such a fantastic POV on this, summerfield. I've never seen anything like it! I also like the architecture behind it. I am very much for that cause as I have to deal daily with high blood pressure. Mine is labeled "uncontrollable." Have gone through lots of meds to find one that works. I can identify with your dear Mom. My parents both had strokes ... so it is truly a problem throughout the world.
@karenann - aw, i'm sorry to hear about your health problems. have you tried consulting with a naturopath doctor? if you were here in toronto, i'd recommend mine. she is very good. the diet and health regimen she planned for me last year so that i cut my cholesterol down from 7.5 to 3.2 in 10 weeks' time. thank you, karenann.
@eddyj - aw, schucks, eddy. tomorrow and sunday i have a ticket to see those gardens in the expensive homes of rosedale so i won't be downtown! that's too bad. well, there will still be many opportunities. if you are around the beaches any time after work, you let me know please and we'll meet up! thank you, eddy.
I have never heard of one of these things! I would love to see it full of people pedaling! I am glad you don't have the health issues of your mother's. That's good..now you can use your good health to help raise money and awareness to help others who do!
June 10th, 2012
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