My next 'adventure' will be joining up with the "Amputees Across America"

	Please take a few minutes and visit my sponsors' websites
	Click on a Sponsor's name for additional information  BARR FOUNDATION The Barr Foundation has recently become major sponsor of the Amputees Across America ride.  The Foundation is also providing the majority of my financial sponsorship to assist me with my lodging, meals, etc for the week I am going to be with the AAA ride. The Barr Foundation is the driving force behind the ErtlReconstruction.com website!    STILLWATER DESIGN - KICKER Stillwater Designs (AKA: Kicker) joined the ranks as a sponsor, which has allowed me to acquire a more road-worthy bicycle for my upcoming adventures and will also providing Kicker shirts.    THIRD EYE MIRROR Upon contacting Third Eye Mirror, they were very quick to provide sponsorship in the way of product donation.  They provided both a Pro Mirror and Eyeglass Mirror, allowing me to decide which would work best for me.         (Note: I use the Pro Mirror every day)    REELIGHT Reelight has provided a set of SL100 bike lights for my riding safety.  These aren't headlights for riding at night, but more of 'daytime running lights'.  Check out their website and this press release.  COOPER'S BICYCLE CENTER COOPER'S BICYCLE CENTER Cooper's Bicycle Center, where I am acquiring my bike, is sponsoring me by providing a Saris Bones model bicycle rack so that I can more easily get to and from my riding events.  DEARINGER PRINTING Dearinger Printing & Trophy Inc. has agreed to assist me with my business card printing needs.  These cards will be vital in the further promoting of the Ertl Procedure and Barr Foundation visibility.  STILLWATER SUMMIT CO STILLWATER SUMMIT CO To go along with my Kicker shirts, Stillwater Summit Co. is providing a couple of pairs of biking shorts.  Believe me, even with a good bike seat, a quality pair of biking shorts is greatly appreciated!  BUSINESS IMAGING SYSTEMS Business Imaging Systems, the largest Document Imaging solutions provider in Oklahoma, has generously provided a Trek bicycle helmet and a large camelback hydration unit for my ride.  KENDA USA Kenda USA has allowed me to join "Team Kenda" and provided both a high-pressure pump (with gauge) and mini-tool set for me to maintain my bike at optimum performance.  Also, by being a member of Team Kenda, I am able to obtain tires and supplies at a greatly reduced cost, which is extremely useful with as many miles as I am putting on my bike!

Amputees Across America (AAA) has been an annual ride since 2002.  The 2006 ride will be stopping for a few days in Oklahoma City, just prior to the Forth of July. 

A few months ago I was approached about being a foundation representative to the Extremity Games in Orlando, Florida which was to be held at the end of July 2006.  As such, I finally had the incentive to pro-actively get back into shape so I started biking with a vengeance.  Early last month (April 2006) one of the amputee 'support' email lists I subscribe to mentioned the AAA ride so I visited their website.  Upon checking their itinerary and realizing how close they would be, I contacted the organizer of the event.  After a few emails and telephone conversations, I had made the initial arraignments to be involved with the rider during the Oklahoma City to Ardmore and Admore to Dallas legs of the ride. 

The HealthSouth hospital system is one of the primary sponsors of the AAA event.  One of the benefits of having them as a sponsor is the fact that they encourage visitations at their medical facilities across the nation during the AAA ride.  While we are in Dallas, three days will be devoted to visitations.  The four HealthSouth facilities (two in Fort Worth, one each in Arlington and Plano) will be visited, as well as the Scottish Rite Children's Hospital in Dallas.  The visitations are designed to inspire the patients (primarily amputee patients) and show them that there is a chance for a full and productive life after a limb-loss incident.  (From what I understand, the visitations benefit the riders as much as the patients!)

While I continue to stay busy with all the various projects at my office, as well as the always busy personal life, I will attempt to keep my blog updated with information about the ride, including reports on the visitations afterwards!

Note: the Extremity Games opportunity doesn't appear to be panning out as I had hoped

Links to the AAA Ride Journals:  July 03   July 04   July 05   July 06   July 07   Duncan Banner news article

!!! Limb-Loss does not equal Life-Loss !!!

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