Here’s to Living Life Well.

This post is long overdue.  I’m quite emotional about it, and it’s not possible to voice it properly.

Simply put, life is meant to be lived well.

We all have things in life we love to do.  Things that bring us enjoyment.  Things we are passionate about and like to share with others.  I love to be outdoors, and one of my favorite pastimes has always been cycling.  Some of my best memories are biking trips with our sons on the scenic, Pennsylvania Rails to Trails or the countryside around where we live.

But sometimes the unexpected in life happens, and even things we enjoy are stripped from us. 

When the things we love are gone, we can be left with a void, a scar, or confusion.

My 2018 accident and traumatic brain injury prevented me from biking.  I could no longer enjoy cycling with our kids.  It was a hard thing to accept.  Also difficult to acknowledge, was the decline of my health overall.  My doctor said I needed more cardiovascular activity, and it was very challenging to find a way to exercise in my condition.  I needed to be active.  I needed off the couch and out of the house. 

More importantly, I wanted to have a part of my life back. 

God is good, and so are the friends and people around me who care.  A buddy of mine pointed me toward the Challenged Athletes Foundation.  They help people like me reach goals, live life fully, and afford the equipment necessary to continue a healthy, athletic life despite physical shortcomings.  He figured a three-wheeled, recumbent bicycle would be a perfect way for me to get exercise despite my balance issues.  He helped me look into things and I applied for a CAF grant. 

Months later, when I discovered I was awarded one, I became weak to my knees and a tear of joy crept from my eye.  I shared the incredible news with my wife, family, and friends, and searched for a dealer.  After speaking with a salesperson over the phone about my balance issues, I decided on the model they recommended.  My excitement was building—I couldn’t get to the store and pick up the bike fast enough.  I wanted to be active.  I wanted to improve my cardio-vascular health.  More importantly, I wanted to have a part of my life back. 

I didn’t post this initially.  Brain injuries are a unique beast to wrestle with, and it took a while for me to learn how to ride the bike.  After a few months of trial and error, I’ve learned how to ride well, get some cardio exertion, and spend time with loved ones on closed-course trails.  I cannot tell you what this means to me.

I now am riding harder, pushing farther, and tracking miles.  I set goals and break them.  I find new trails and enjoy new adventures.  It’s healthy for my mind and body.

Sitting in my recumbent bike is like sitting in the seat of freedom.

I want to thank the Challenged Athletes Foundation, my medical doctor, and all those who helped make this possible.  Thanks for making a difference for me and the many others like me who also now have a story to tell.

Here’s to living life well.  I’ll see you on the trails.

Please share with me in the comments about how you are also living life well despite adversity. I’d love to hear!

Chuck Carr.

#TeamCAF

 For more information about Challenged Athletes Foundation, click this link.