Why I'm Doing This

It all started for me with dirt bikes at the age
of 5. My Dad and Mom both rode dirt bikes   
at the time, and so racing naturally soon became a part of my life. Here it is 40 years later, with two kids who have enabled me as well to pass on the riding tradition. It was and still is a family sport, and I have met some great people along the way.

Back in 1980, I met this 13 year old kid named Todd Hargroder, who thought he could become the next big thing. We quickly became friends, and with riding and training together over the subsequent years, he was soon faster than me. I thought he was on his way.

Todd went to the Loretta Lynn Amateur Nationals in 1985, and returned home with some success. Not long after returning home, however, everything changed. In June of 1986, while making practice runs at a track in San Antonio, he misjudged the landing following one of the step-up jumps.  Although he describes it as his least dramatic crash, he stuck the front wheel, flew over the bars and landed on his head, sustaining a spinal cord injury at the cervical 5-6 level.  He was soon told he would never walk again, and spent the next ten  months in and out numerous different hospitals and rehab facilities striving to regain strength, independence, and a sense of which direction this altered life was now leading him.

In the months following his accident he was presented with products that were intended to assist in his efforts to regain independence, but soon found that many such “tools” were of apparent poor design, often by people who had never actually used a wheelchair.  He spent time thinking about ways to design new products to better suit his needs.

His attitude has always been “The glass is always more than half full. If it isn’t then get some more and fill it up!” Todd is now a very successful business man. He owns and oversees the daily operations of a wheelchair component design company called Accessible Designs. He currently has five patents for products that assist those in wheelchairs lead a more independent and productive lifestyle.

Todd was like a little brother and in the end his injury caused me to walk away from the sport I love for over 15 years. Over the years he has shown an inner personality and belief in God that made me respect him even more. I have always wanted to do something to give back to the sport that supported him. Now is the time! Todd, from me to you I am sorry I have not done more in the past. You can count on me to do all I can to get your message out.

From Todd’s website www.adirides.com

"Our mission is to provide solutions for the physically challenged with innovation, fusing advanced technology into the wheelchair mobility industry, maintaining the highest commitment to quality in order to best fulfill the needs of those we serve in the disability community"

You Just Never Know

In March, a guy by the name of Jeff Walker made two pledges on the first day I started my pledge site, at Road 2 Recovery. I was surprised and thought he must have made a mistake, so I called him. I asked him about his pledge, and explained that the event was till 7 months away.

Jeff explained why he was pledging, and
his story was very motivating. On February 22, 2008, he and his two sons lost their
“Moto Mom”, Jackie, to Leukemia following a three year battle. Jackie never rode but she fell in love with the people and sport. She saw it as a big family. Heck, she even held her birthday party at the track while fighting Leukemia.

I had never met Jeff before this. He said he knew who I was from the track and the Bulverde football league our sons play in. I could not understand why he was doing this with everything going on his life. Jeff said he wanted to give back to the sport that gave his family so much.

Jeff say’s “Our ‘Moto Mom’ Jackie, is looking down on us with a big smile, and feeling proud of her family”. We truly do not understand what an effect we have on one another until the chance to say thank you has passed us by. This is his way of giving back to those that supported his family. Jackie will be missed but never forgotten.

Things Happen For A Reason
 
A few days after my conversation with Jeff Walker, I was told I should give Steve Wise (Former Factory Honda Rider, AMA Hall of Fame member, and now Minister) a call to discuss my plans and my pledge team.

Steve was interested, and ready to help from then on. He too was looking for a way to give back to injured riders with spiritual support.

Steve is a person we all look up to as both a famous MX star and as man of Christ. His mission in life is to bridge the gap between MX and Christ. When you listen to him speak it all makes sense.

Here are some of Steve’s thoughts:

“There has never been a time in my life when I have been more confident of God’s direction. I sensed in November 2006 an overwhelming desire to begin preparing to be used in full time ministry once again, although I had no idea how it would culminate. As I have prepared, doors have been opening and my direction has become clear as to my purpose. My desire is to encourage the Christian world in a specific relationship, and call those who are prepared to hear the message of salvation to receive Jesus Christ.”

“As I view the world, I realize the need to strengthen and heal the bond between fathers and sons has never been greater. Fathers should love their children for who they are, not what they have done, whether it’s good or bad. Fathers who lovingly and gracefully guide and lead their sons by example, not of worldly success, but of Godly moral character, will lead to true success. Sons will follow such a father, because this is the character of our Heavenly Father. We are not loved because of what we are; we are loved because of whose we are.”

Steve has been liquidating his real estate holdings and business to totally concentrate on his ministry activities. His desire is to be available to go spend time with any injured rider who would like his assistance. Steve has a great message and I hope you can attend the ride day to hear him speak. He is helping me get the word out and is a key figure on my pledge team. You can learn more about Steve and his ministry at www.stevewise.com 

People Still Need Our Help
 
Soon after contacting Steve, I was told I should track down James “The Outlaw” Marshall. After a few phone calls I had him on the phone. James is a 24 year old professional MX rider who was injured in 2006 Supercross season. James is making progress in his recovery, but still has a long way to go.

James is a great person with a big

heart. I heard so many stories about how
he was a rider you could walk up to and he would take time to look you in the eye and thank you for supporting him. With all the untouchable personalities in the sport he was a breath of fresh air. If James had not been injured he would have undoubtedly been one of the top riders in the sport today.

When I told James what I was doing he said, “Let’s just make it happen”. With James living in Houston and going to rehab in San Antonio, I wasn’t sure he would be able to meet with me, but he did. He took the time to meet up with all of us so he could be included in my pledge team picture. James thanks for helping us. Now let’s see what we can do to help you.

James is launching his new website www.Outlaw451.com very soon to sell MX related apparel. I will post his new site information on my home page when he get is up and running.

Helping Protect Our Future
 
Next I ran into Brandon Beabout, a local MX star,

while he was holding on of his MX training classes at Cycle Ranch. Hoping to get the word out, I told him about the event and the team I was putting together. He said he was in but we would have to talk more about it since he was heading to Florida to work with the up-and-coming Ashley Fiolek.

Brandon is a local MX stars who sustained a horrible knee injury in 2004, thus causing him to give up his KTM support ride. Upon receiving numerous phone calls asking if he was interested in giving riding lessons, he decided to start Motocross Training Camp. www.mtcmoto.com

Brandon is a skilled rider who today travels the country teaching and training riders. He wants to help give them the tools they need to prevent injuries from happening by teaching them how to be smarter and safer riders.

Help Us Make A Differance

I hope you will join me in my effort to

help the Road 2 Recovery Foundation. If we all do our part we can make a difference in the sport we all love so much.

Cody Lipps