SMILING MEDICAL EQUIPMENT?

I can see that Judy is feeling neglected by my handcycling lately, but I also notice that she refrains from any criticism. She usually just sighs and smiles...the same smile that made me fall in love with her when I first met her. She is truly a great woman.

In her teens, Judy told me that she used to do minor volunteer work at her local hospital where her mom was a nurse. She told me how all the hospital equipment intimidated her at first, and that she had nightmares of all the scooters and electric wheelchairs coming to life and following her in these dreams. With time, after seeing see how much the equipment helped the patients, she said that she started seeing these disability aids as smiling characters in some (bizarre) musical in her head. I used to lower my eyebrows and smirk when she told me this...before my accident. After my paralyzing accident, I now realize what she meant. My handcycle seems to be smiling at me lately...all the time. How can a piece of medical equipment smile at you? I guess you'd have to be in my seat to see that for yourself.

Ok, back to handcycling! There is a seven-day race in Alaska that will take place in July 19-27, 2009. You can find more information at http://www.sadlersakchallenge.org. For a few days, I played with the idea of signing up, but I still need some serious practice. It's a very long race! Let me know if any of you have signed up for this event. I'd love to hear about your practice routines. Thanks!