Biking

When I was diagnosed with MS, I was just starting to run again (because MS is such and up and down disease). So I ran a ton, but I also biked. I went home that summer and bought a new bike, and would ride the bike all over central Ohio, especially the summer between my junior and senior years - run in the morning, bike at night. Kenyon College is in a beautiful area, and in any direction there was a beautiful ride waiting for me.

Many years later I got a handcycle, so I have used that for a few years although I hurt my shoulder and have had to cut back on that.

Before shoulder surgery, I got a recumbant bike "thing" for at home. It's a small machine with pedals and it has a motor. I can turn it on and then there's an adjustable knob that makes the pedals move, slower or faster. It got hidden while I finished my Masters. But I took it out a few weeks ago and set it up in our living room so our house looks even more like a rehab center than a house. There's the bike, the therapy bands hooked to the banister, the standing frame (I sit on a seat and crank it up until I am standing straight and it holds me in place), the big therapy ball, ... When Lori's friends are here, we have the coolest house with so many cool toys!

A therapist had set up the pedals on this bike so my feet don't slide out. So I've been biking! Feet go in pedals, motor turned up, go! Then I pretend that really I am moving the pedals, and I am doing some work. But when the timer runs out and the motor stops, I realize I'm not doing a lot of the work. But I do enjoy biking again. It's not beautiful, central Ohio, but it's something.

We just got our daughter a new bike for her birthday and will give it to her on Monday. Then she and I can bike together this summer. I'll use my handcyle. But one just never knows - maybe someday I'll ride a "real" bike again.

Never give up on dreams.

Peace.