I’m aching & exhausted, but elated ~
Thanks to all of you for your support! And now . . .
PLEASE SUPPORT MY EFFORTS IN THE 2011 NEW YORK CITY MARATHON WITH TEAM LEARY FIREFIGHTERS FOUNDATION! ;o)
I Did It
08 Monday Nov 2010
Posted in Uncategorized
08 Monday Nov 2010
Posted in Uncategorized
I’m aching & exhausted, but elated ~
Thanks to all of you for your support! And now . . .
PLEASE SUPPORT MY EFFORTS IN THE 2011 NEW YORK CITY MARATHON WITH TEAM LEARY FIREFIGHTERS FOUNDATION! ;o)
Wonky Woman on a Bent Trike 
Congratulations, I just saw your letter on the ICE website. I have tried and failed before to get a recumbent trike into a wheelchair race in a fun run. Unfortunately, I have never even gotten a reply from any race organiser. Your story gives me even more hope to keep on trying, well done. 🙂
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Congratulations!
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Nise, I cannot rreally out into words how awesome it is to read about you doing this. And honey, I really, really know and understand how you have felt about the bike and what it has meant to you.
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I meant “really put into words” not the nonsense I wrote!
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Thanks everybody, your words of encouragement & celebration add so much joy to this dream come true!
Lisa, my MS sister, I know you know the fatigue & pain & dizzy wobbly daily battles. I’m eternally grateful to have you as my cheerleader & beloved friend. Perhaps you’ll have the opportunity to root for me in person – if I’m able to persuade the London Marathon to let me roll the race 🙂
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Hey Tex,
Knew you would do it.
Never a doubt in my mind.
Sweet!
Mark
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I am enjoying your website Denise! I want to read more about how the race went, and am sure you must be typing away like a crazy woman (all us trike pilots are somewhat nuts after all). You need some fenders on your Q! I really like the design and colors of your helmet. I also have Lake shoes (MX-165 mtn bike variety), and they are very comfortable. Most shoes I tried couldn’t match them, especially on width and toebox room. Okay, I have tons to do today, so best sign off from this splintered comment with no clear direction. Keep in touch about the chapter.
– Trike Pilot Steve
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Denise:
Woo Hoo! Way to go!
I’ve sort of stole your thunder on BROL with this thread
http://www.bentrideronline.com/messageboardshowthread.php?t=65724
but I couldn’t resist. Watched your progress online. You Rock and indeed did “Kick Ass”.
Keep spinning and rolling!
John
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Hey Brendan,
If it’s a Fun Run, just show up with your trike and have a great time. If anybody says something to you, politely remind them of the Americans With Disabilities Act. Any event that is open to the public, you are allowed – by the provisions of the ADA – to take part in. If you still are met with resistance, ask to speak to the person in charge and calmly explain. Still met with resistance? This is when you say that you really hate to have to do this, but if they’re going to insist on breaking the law, you’re going to be forced to call the police (not 911, but the local number) and alert the media (have the local news alert numbers with you & be ready & willing to dial – or to “fake dial” which often accomplishes what you need. Trust me, no Fun Run cause wants the cops showing up to their event to question them on being noncompliant with the ADA, and they certainly don’t want to be on the evening news for not allowing a disabled athlete to take part in supporting the cause that they’ve invited/welcomed the entire public to join in on.
For races where entrants register, I recommend registering and noting on the form that you are a disabled athlete who will be participating by means of the reasonable accommodation of a recumbent trike. You might also note that you understand you may have a different start time, as that is often the case for wheelchair and handcycle racers. Most likely, someone will contact you to follow up and verify your information. If it’s a big fancy race, you may very well run into some resistance. Especially since race directors always state in the race rules that they have the right to exclude anyone for any reason. Still, the ADA applies. It can get really tricky.
I had to fight like you wouldn’t believe to be allowed accommodation of the recumbent trike in the NYC Marathon. I utilized the experience and advice of two phenomenal organizations who know a lot about this exact thing: Achilles International & Challenged Athletes Foundation. Check them out. They have people who can help. And I’m always here to give you any bit of advice/support/assistance that I might be able to offer.
Let me know how it goes; perhaps we’ll see each other in an event someday soon!
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