LuLu horseback riding LaLa with bicycles
Lincoln smiling Nolan with his little sister
I am back to riding the Courage Classic this year with a twist. I have two favorite rides that are both on the same weekend. I have been alternating riding the 719 Ride here in Colorado Springs and the Courage Classic at Copper Mountain every other year, raising money for Children's Hospital with both. This year I plan to ride the 71.9 mile 719 Ride with over 9,000 ft of climbing on Saturday July 19th and then drive up to Copper Mountain and ride the 61 mile Courgage route to Loveland and back with over 5,000 ft of climbing on July 20th.
I personally now know five children who have been or are being treated at Children's Hospital. The fifth child is one year old Judy who is the granddaughter of some good friends at church. The second week of March she became very ill with renal failure and blood clotting. They took her to the hospital here and she had to be transferred by emergency helicopter transport to Denver Children's Hospital. She was in pediatric ICU for over a week and then a regular hospital room for another week. She has recovered and will be monitored by a neurologist and a regular doctor routinely for some time.
La La was born with cancer but is now cancer free, and is considered cured and only requires an annual physical to monitor her condition. She's now 11 years old, going into 6th grade and loves music of all kinds. She is taking drum lessons, loves bicycling, the outdoors and participates in the Swim Force program. Her dad says she really has an ear for music and recognizes when she hears a song that is using a riff from another song. She's an amazing kid and thanks to the cancer treatment she received at Children's Hospital she is leading an amazing life that otherwise wouldn't be possible. She says she might be interested in joining me for a Courage Classic in the future on one of the shorter family rides.
Lu Lu has cerebral palsy and requires routine visits for treatment and therapy. She is very active and took up downhill skiing with the aid of a sit-ski that is to downhill skiing what a wheelchair is to walking. She has also taken up horseback riding therapy, swimming and is also now able to use a treadmill with adaptive equipment and is very physically active. LuLu just completed 5th grade and enjoys writing stories, music and making videos.
Lincoln was born with a severe heart deformity, Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS), that has required numerous surgeries, but is now just getting more routine doctor visits. His family moved to Tennessee due to oxygen issues from living at high altitudes but still returns to Children's Hospital here in Colorado for the world-class care he receives here. Lincoln turned seven this Spring.
Lincoln is doing well. Following his last open heart surgery in 2022. his regular check ups have been stretched out from every 6 months to every 9 months with his local cardiologist and his medical team in Tennessee have been encouraged by his status. Lincoln is such a kind and sweet boy, with a healthy dose of the mischievous and comical as well. He fills our hearts with so much joy and our home with so much laughter. He is doing well and despite his medical fragility, he really is as normal a little boy as the next in all the ways that matter.
His journey will never be an easy one and there is no cure to fix his broken heart, but he smiles and he laughs and now he runs around doing both. We feel blessed beyond compare.
I have dubbed this amazing trio "L cubed".
The fifth child is Nolan my next door neighbor who was born with tethered cord syndrome and occult spina bifida which requires numerous therapies to accommodate his condition. He is a very active 7 year old and is able to play and romp about the neighborhood thanks to life changing surgeries and therapies provided by Children's Hospital of Colorado. He comes over to our backyard to play on our sports court and he always calls out "Hi Mr. Bill" whenever we see each other. He is playing soccer this summer and wants to try lacrosse as well. He will be starting second grade in the fall and his favorite activity is reading!
These three girls and two boys are my inspiration for completing the 719 course including over 9,000 feet of climbing and descending this year. Plus a 61 mile cool down to top it off.
The Courage Classic is not only a personal challenge, but also an opportunity to support positive outcomes and healthier futures for children.
