By Tina Jackson
The photo I am holding is of me sitting on my three wheeled bike in front of my house. There is bit of snow clinging to the grass and I am dressed in a thick jacket and looking cute in my french beret and Hollywood sunglasses. It is the end of one of the rides my husband and I took around town both on our three wheelers. The bike I ride was customized by my husband Mark from junk parts to fit my special needs. He put an extra large seat on it so I could balance easier. He put toe clips on the pedals because my left foot kept slipping off the regular pedal. To accommodate for my one handed steering he found an old riding lawnmower steering wheel to replace the handle bars. He put a hand brake control on the steering wheel so I could use the brakes.
As I sit there perched like a queen on her throne remember the day he brought it to me while we were still dating. I climbed on it and he secured my feet in pedals as he did this day. I slowly began to pedal, the effort to push the pedals hurt but the tires rolled and I was off going in circles of the bank parking lot. I still feel the wind was hitting my face and and blowing my hair. I am in heaven. I had not felt that freedom of movement on a bike since I was a kid. After my stroke I never thought I would again. But here I am a kid again pushing the pedals so I can fly again.
As I look at the photo I feel that freedom and mobility again. I feel the love of my husband as he has helped keep me active and involved in every way possible. It is a special thrill to be riding around my small town and see children wave and yell, ‘that is so cool.” I beep my little horn to their amusement.I am waiting for warm weather so we can take a ride, beep my horn, greet neighbors and build up my strength.
That day on my throne I was feeling blessed as I wait for Mark to help me dethrone.
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