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Amputees Across America Bicycling Odyssey on Road Again, Fourth Year
By Lisa Watkins 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. |
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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 
Table Of Contents - August 2005
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