Inner Strength on Radio Tygerberg 104FM:
21 March 2014
FIRST PATIENT TO BENEFIT FROM THE INNER STRENGTH TRUST:
19 March 2014
The 19th of March 2014 was a very joyous day for the Inner Strength Trust.
This was the day that we were able to hand over a letter to our first stroke patient to inform him that the IST can assist him, by paying for Occupational and Speech therapy twice a week for six months! All of this was made possible because of the people like yourselves who gave generously. We would like to thank you once again for making this possible.
We are also in the process of identifying a second patient to be assisted.
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Cape Argus Pick n Pay Momentum Cycle Tour – 2014:
9 March 2014
Waking up to a howling South Easter wind to be facing one of the biggest days in my life (maybe barring my wedding day) caused me to be a little bit anxious and apprehensive about the day ahead…
When the Inner Strength Trust (IST) was initiated last year and I decided that the Argus Pick n Pay Momentum Cycle Tour would be the platform to launch the trust, it was a bit of a pipe dream. When Jesus is in control then all the right doors seem to open up and things just fall into place and start working.
The trustees gave their approval to purchase a ‘block’ of 50 cyclists in the Argus Cycle Tour. Stepping out and having the faith that people would come along side us and would fill 50 spaces was quite nerve wrecking, to say the least. The tour operators told us that we must not get anxious because the charity ‘blocks’ get filled up when the open entries of 35000 cyclists have sold out…Well, blown away by the response, the IST was sold out before the open entries were closed!! How’s that for making history!?
What impressed me the most, was that the people that did not have bicycles or definitely did not cycle as a sport nor had the love for it, were inspired to buy bicycles or to pick up the old ones at home and start cycling. To them, I salute you!
After 3 years of exercising with biokinetisists and visiting chiropractors, physiotherapists and occupational therapists, I thought it was time to start focusing on my cycling again (cycling was my love before my car accident and I have completed the Argus Cycle Tour 13 times before). After spending 2 months in hospital and after one week at home ,my bike got stolen out of our garage. I thought my cycling chapter was over, little did I know…
I was sponsored a bike to practise on, but I soon realised that my spinal cord injury was restricting me in my long distance cycling routes. My nerve pain goes into over drive and the burning sensation and pins and needles became so bad, that I could hardly hold on to the handlebars. This painful experience tired me so much. There were times that I was so far from home and wouldn’t have the energy to get back home.
I was told about the ‘Easy Motion’ battery assisted bicycle. This would give me the confidence to ride long distance routes. The bicycle assisted me, but I could still get a very good work out, because you have to pedal the bicycle.
After practising the whole of the December holidays on my ordinary (not battery operated) bicycle, I realised that I would need to do the Argus on my battery- assisted bicycle. I was NOT strong enough. I asked permission from the Argus Cycle Tour to cycle the race on my battery bicycle, but the response was not favourable. So I gave it my best shot to try and master long distances on my normal bicycle. I could do 55km ‘comfortably’ (on a good day, with no wind). My physio, who worked very closely with me in preparation for the Argus, suggested that we give it a try on my ‘normal’ bicycle and that she would cycle with me and monitor my situation as we went along.
So, now we are back to the 9th March – the WINDY day!
There was great excitement in the house as my husband and I got ready for this day.
We have our ‘suits / pakkies’ on and the stickers, bicycles, juices and energy bars are packed. The bicycles are on the back of the car and my parents of 79 and our 2 amazing daughters are the back- up team. My neighbour, Nik Rabinowitz (also one of the amazing people who had no bike) gets a lift with us and makes for good entertainment into town.
Oh the VIBE at the starting line! You cannot explain it to people! The amazing feeling to be part of such excitement. Even the wind could not silence the pumping music. It was difficult to recognize one another with the sunglasses and helmets, but without being biased, the IST tops stood out clearly amongst the others.
Our starting time was 9h12 and while we were waiting to start, they announced that the winner finished – yip annoying, but nothing was going to get us down! Then it was the count-down and the ‘Hoopla’ (always the thing to shout at the starting line) and we were off. The wind -tunnel between the buildings caused havoc with cyclist being blown off their bicycles. Thank the Lord that I could remember the 2009 Argus race, where so many people were being blown off their bicycles at the starting point, therefore I gripped my handlebars for extra support and balance and I made it through the ‘funnel’ – my physio was impressed, because my balance is not what it should be due to my weak / slow right side.
After Nelson Mandela Drive, I was exhausted! I got some help from 2 ‘angels’ up Edinburgh Drive, by pushing me up the hill. My physio came alongside me and suggested that my dad brings me my battery assisted bicycle to meet us at Kendal road where they were waiting for me, otherwise I will not make the end of the race and I will miss out on the fun and participating with the group of people that is cycling for the IST.
I made the decision to disqualify myself, by taking off my time chip, so that I do not officially cycle for a time when I am on the battery assisted bicycle. This bicycle gave me the opportunity to enjoy the Argus thoroughly and I had so much fun. I left the setting on the bicycle in the ‘medium’ assistance and in the top gears. I had to work hard and sweated along the way and my legs were also like ‘jelly’ when I stopped. My right leg started jumping terribly because of the delayed message that goes from my brain to my limbs, through a ‘damaged’ spinal cord. I literally spoke to my leg to be ‘quiet’ and that we were going to make it and that it must ‘calm down’.
There were 6 of us that stuck together, The A-Team, as I called them (including my sister, who has been an angel and a ‘rock’ in my life). We made it in 5h45 (their time) and it was the best feeling ever out! What a sense of achievement to be able to feel and say that I CAN. The battery bicycle gave me back what I had in cycling before the car accident. This positive experience was so incredible that I hope that more doors will open up for people with ‘disabilities’ , who might need battery assisted bicycles too, so that we can also share in this unbelievable experience.
Key aspects:
- I could not have done this without Jesus Christ, who is my pillar of strength
- My parents and my older sister who taught me to be strong and too never give up.
- To have a solid foundation at home: Fantastic, helpful, supportive and loving husband and kids.
- Friends and just awesome South Africans, who believed in the cause and came along side me and encouraged me and offered help and sponsorships.
To all these people a HUGE THANK YOU. Be blessed and I hope and trust that you would be inspired to do the Argus cycle tour again next year.
We are announcing our first patient, who will benefit from the IST. We will be able to assist this patient for 6 months, twice a week, with speech therapy and occupational therapy. This is the best gift that I could’ve received and this is what this trust’s cause is all about – giving back to people who are in need of financial assistance to afford rehabilitation.
Inner Strength in die Rapport:
9 March 2014
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Inner Strength in the Cape Argus:
6 March 2014
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Inner Strength on the KFM Breakfast show:
5 March 2014