Next week, Joe was to have been the first recipient of a new trike from ARFA of Texas. The mission of ARFA of Texas, Assistive Recumbents for All, is to assist people with different types of disabilities, disorders and/or injuries who cannot ride traditional two-wheel cycles to receive recumbent style cycles.
As I and others have stated, Joe was very excited about this opportunity to continue riding. He was very thankful for this and had communicated his gratitude in a letter to ARFA that Jane has posted on the Easy Street Recumbents Facebook page. (I've reposted the text of his letter below).
I am sure that ARFA will find another deserving recipient for the trike they had arranged for Joe, however, their work doesn't end with just the one trike. I think that it would be a fitting memorial to Joe, for those that are able, to make a donation to
ARFA Kenny G.
<Joe's letter of gratitude to ARFA>
Wow. "I can't begin to tell you what your gift of a TerraTrike has meant to not only me but my sons who have constantly worried about me and my riding on 2 wheels.
The 4th of July should be for family fun as we celebrate our countries birthday. Not only was I in a great deal of pain because of my crash into a bike bridge but I had to push my long wheelbase bike abt quarter of a mile to the park road so I could be found, let me tell you you really do see stars when the sharp pain from an injury is rudely disturbed by each little bump in the road.
My boy's (Josh age 32 and Justin 28) knew I would ride again rather than rot in my Lazyboy chair. So the news that a group was out there who was able to help folks in my situation was a godsend.
They have seen me survive brain/spinal surgery I live with spinal chord damage and had to have the base of my skull carved out to relieve pressure where the skull allows the spinal cord connect to the lower part of brain.They were just little guys in 1990, when they watched me fight to walk again (not well but enough to take care of myself with just a little assistance) then just 2 years after my surgery we lost my mom to a stroke, dad passed away 3 years prior from sorted lung complications from 25 years of working for Shell Chemical Plant in Deer Park.
So, I'm not a guy who opens up a lot about my life,, but in this instance wanted you to understand just what a really big positive this event is not only in my life, gut to my sons as well. Recumbents forge an alliance between folks who have chosen to say no to despair and yes to possibilities. From now on we are part of a great loving caring group of people from all walks of life. When you see another recumbent on the road, you instantly feel a common bond with them. When you smile at strangers as you ride, you usually are treated to smiles back at you.
Here's mine
God bless you in your mission to put even more smiles on the road and witnessing positive changes in our part of the world.
Joe "