United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi everyone,

I just thought I'd toot my own horn for just a moment, if no one minds? I won the Southern California/Nevada state time trial championship bike race this weekend. I was so excited! It's a stepping stone to qualifying for the US Paralympic cycling team. I beat around 25 other fully able-bodied men. Below is a picture of me on the podium, where traditionally the winner raises their arms high, so I just did what I could. I must sound like a broken record, but please pursue your goals, and do it with a well thought out plan; that's what we have to do since we're all injured. I get down about my limitations sometimes, but I tend to focus more on what I can do and build from there. Anyway, you guys, our community, were always a big motivating factor for me to get out and train, especially after a really nasty crash I had 3 weeks ago (maniac took me down in a group race). If it's not too pretentious of me to do so, I want to dedicate my state championship win to all of you reading this!

-Chris, 28/LOBPI

CONGRATULATIONS CHRIS!! WAY TO GO! AWesome accomplishment. A GREAT example for us BPI-ER'S ...We can do whatever we want AND set our minds to!!
Chris please post on Facebook, it will inspire parents too who don't come to UBPN.
HUGGZ,
Carolyn J
LOBPI/74+

PS thank you for the Dedication and it IS OK to Brag for ourselves!

The more we share the better off we are The more we can try to give feed back inspires others to write No one should ever write if you care Feed back on post that inspire should have feed back I think
Awesome accomplishment-!!
Tom

Thanks so much! I just posted a little blurb on FB to hopefully reach a few more people. A common misconception I get with cycling is that it's all legs, which is true to an extent, except for the fact that I needed to learn to use and trust my BPI arm to steer, change hand positions, shift, eat and drink on the bike, change tires, sprint on the bike, etc. It's been a process, but it's been great to overcome a lot of deep seeded fears I've had in past related to my own perception of my arm. I doubt that I'm alone in how I've felt, so I wanted to share this with those who will understand.

-Chris, 28/LOBPI

That is great!!!

Fear will always be defeated by courage in the try
Further pain to try is a life long thing, to try to deal with and the hope of a new pain pill that will help?
I drove motorcycles for years with birth erbs it hurt like hell to do so but, the joy of doing seem to lesson pain???
I think adapting and the joy of doing so out ways the fear, Just pick a post in trying If you have fears remember the wins you have adapt to in life by post there are so many
Just thinking
Tom

Love hearing about successes of all of our community. Keep up the great work. It's awareness for everyone to see that this community is amazing!!