02/09/2020
I celebrate the launch of the non-profit, A Mindful Ride, Inc. I don't want this horrible accident to define mine or other's lives. It is so easy to be broke, become overwhelmed, frustrated and not know where to turn. I'm hoping our organization will be able to assist and provide direction amongst other resources.
Here is a bit of the backstory.
Thank you, everyone, for accepting Friend Requests for A Mindful Ride, NPO. Very exciting times! The website is under construction & I'm still creating the background info., story & Board. An immediate FYI who may not know, I was hit by a car while on my bicycle 2 years, 3 months ago & lived.
Surviving is really the difficult part of living with problems & challenges that I didn't have before. I've been blessed & fortunate to have medical insurance, home, a small business, family, friends, customer & stranger support. Further, my previous life profession also shares a role in my pushing through, but it doesn't mean I haven't experienced loss or that I'm not immune to devastating circumstances resulting from this tragedy.
There have been many uphill battles & no collective info. all in one same place when realized what treatment types were necessary. How about transport to doctor appts, multiple specialized doctors & all the time & energy to be dedicated to appts. The big question, of how can this all be afforded? The latter, if you are able to obtain the correct direction in said treatment plans.
Few can relate to how one's life abruptly comes to a halt as they knew it & one has to assume acceptance (huge challenge once there can be a true understanding) a life of recovery. I was thrust into a disconnected & lonely world wherein everything was immediately foreign.
This does not look like a head, face & body that has & continues to live with the trauma of a 3,000 lb vehicle plowing into a 136lb body, so the impairments not seen by others are easily ignored or dismissed.
Know this, people have the best intentions on their terms, but when you suffer catastrophic life-changing events, you need a support system that is willing to go above & beyond. This is when you quickly discover who your friends, family & people truly are. People who don't take NO for an answer in their life & haven't minded depending on me (even while injured) developed inconvenience & were simply absent, as I soon became to them, when they opened their eyes & discovered we were no longer acquainted. I had to learn that my peace & energy had to be for me, which has been critical for my recovery.
As an injured cyclist & person in recovery from something so horrific, it is my hope that this Non-Profit can assist persons to live more educated, comfortable and more connected. Building strong partnerships that assist in the areas of advocacy, health & fitness, individual, family, physician & mental health (to include drug addictions), vocational & rehabilitation services. This is while developing & rebuilding the athlete, training & creating recreational spaces. Last, building awareness with advocacy of safety (related to travel, sports & health) law enforcement, educational leadership & legislative efforts.
There is a lot to be undertaken & accomplished & we will be calling upon all the experts, community & awesome volunteers willing to be involved for change.
Shellie Dimery
Founding Chair and President
