With the number of amputees increasing nationwide due to an epidemic of diabetes, as well as injuries to US armed forces, three amputees are determined to show the nation that physical disabilities don't have to stop individuals from living life to the fullest.
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| From left: Riders Joe Sapere, Bill Vanover, and Jim DeLong. |
Transtibial amputees Jim DeLong, Joe Sapere, and Bill Vanover are bicycling 4,300 miles from San Diego, California, to Boston, Massachusetts, over the course of 70 days as a part of Amputees Across America (AAA). During the course of the ride, from June 2-August 10, they are stopping and visiting rehabilitation centers, several Shriners Children's Hospitals, and a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital to encourage amputees and others with physical challenges not to give up. The goal of Amputees Across America, which is celebrating its fourth year, is to deliver resource information to amputees, to establish a nationwide peer support network, and to deliver messages of hope and inspiration.
The visits to hospitals and rehab centers occur regularly throughout the AAA trip. The riders share their experiences with welcoming groups as well as interact one-on-one with patients and staff. With good humor and positive attitudes, the three men hope to demonstrate that amputees can be as active as they want to be-and have plenty of fun along the way.
The Riders
Amputees Across America was founded in 2001 by retired Air Force colonel and elementary teacher Joe Sapere, 64, who became an amputee due to a skydiving accident in 2000. AAA's first transcontinental bicycle and skydiving tour was in 2002 and has impacted numerous lives every summer since. Sapere is dedicated to demonstrating to amputees that life can improve despite amputations.
"Amputees Across America is ultimately an outreach program, instead of a bike ride," said Sapere. "If we can change one life through this trip or at each visitation, it makes the whole ride worthwhile."
Army veteran Jim DeLong, 54, participated in the 2003 cross-country trip, but his second trip won't be quite the same. DeLong survived a severe motorcycle accident during the summer of 2004. His injuries required surgical reconstruction of one hip and various other surgeries. After intensive rehabilitation and physical therapy, DeLong, who lost his left leg below the knee in Vietnam from a landmine, is geared up for the challenges and joys of the road again.
"In 2003, everywhere we went, we'd be stopped by someone who would want to talk with us," said DeLong. Unexpected stops at shopping plazas, gas stations, and even along the road were some of the most satisfying to DeLong. "People all over the country have connections to an amputee-it could be a family member, a friend, a coworker. They love to see what we're doing with this trip and want to talk with us."
Bill Vanover is excited about being part of the 2005 AAA trip. Vanover, 44, has been a transtibial amputee since 1982 when a tractor severed his left foot in an on-the-job accident. While in the hospital for his amputation, Vanover had an unexpected visit from a man he'd never met. This meeting proved inspirational to Vanover as the visitor, an active outdoorsman, was a bilateral amputee.
"This man has no idea of the impact he had on my life," shared Vanover. "Although I never even got his name, I've never forgotten him. I hope to offer the same encouragement to other amputees during the ride."
The 2005 Amputees Across America trip is sponsored in part by Ohio Willow Wood, Mt. Sterling, Ohio; HealthSouth, based in Birmingham, Alabama; and El Paso Corporation, Houston, Texas. Contributions from individuals, organizations, and businesses are welcome. For more information or to follow the riders along their journey visit www.amputeesacrossamerica.com
