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Jennifer’s
Ride
Jennifer is the daughter of my dear friend Thelma. Thelma had
three sons and then Jennifer. Sadly, Jennifer was one of many
children who are born with Spina Bifida.
When she was little, she could walk with calipers, but now
she is thirty-two and is in a wheel chair. She has an infection
which is causing her a lot of problems, and she has recently
been given the sad news that the specialists are considering a
full hind quarter amputation on her. Jennifer has been confined
to a wheel chair for quite a few years now, but she manages to
look after herself and is a very lively, intelligent and
cheerful young woman with a family who love and care about her.
I went with Thelma from The Gold Coast to Ipswich where
Jennifer lives. It was to keep Thelma company on the journey and
to be with her when they visited the specialist at the Brisbane
Hospital. I was there with them when they received the
devastating news about the possible amputation. We all left the
Hospital in Brisbane feeling very low and found it difficult to
make cheerful conversation on the way back to Jennifer’s.
Because it had been a tiring day, and because Thelma
understandably wanted to have more time with Jennifer, we stayed
the night. I found it hard to sleep, thinking about Jennifer and
the prognosis she had received that day. To do something that
would make her feel happier was in my mind, and I thought about
the wonderful group of people I knew when my late husband was
alive.
The members of The Gold Coast Motor Cycle Group would be the
people who would have some idea what could be done. Accordingly,
I phoned my dear friend, Frank Murray, who used to take Cy, my
husband, pillion riding on his motor bike.
Frank suggested that I contact Kevin and Morag, who live in
Ipswich. They are a lovely couple, Frank said and, as they live
in Ipswich, he was sure they will be pleased to help.
I spoke to Thelma and Jennifer about what I thought of doing
and was surprised to hear that Jennifer had been on a Harley ten
years before.
It was a special treat for her birthday, and the family paid
for her to have a ride and she loved it.
So when I got back to the Gold Coast, I rang Morag and Kevin.
They were wonderful, and said they were only too happy to take
Jennifer for a ride.
We arranged that Thelma and I would go to Jennifer’s, and
we would all meet two weeks later at Kevin and Morag’s on the
Sunday at ten in the morning.
Well, we were pleasantly surprised to find that the journey
from Jennifer’s was only ten minutes' ride away. When we got
there, I had specially charged my video camera so that there
would be a record of this occasion for Jennifer to keep.
I started filming as she rang the door bell and went on
filming when they all greeted each another.
Suddenly, I realised I did not have the record button on. It
was as well I found out then as I was able to film everything
from then on. It proved to be a great movie except for the view
of the car floor which went on for about ten minutes. It was no
problem, as I was able to delete that bit when I got home and
made the VCR for Jennifer.
It was wonderful to see the caring way Kevin helped Jennifer
to sit comfortably on the back of his bike and the way Morag was
helping to make it all so easy .
We expected to ride for half an hour. Thelma and I planned to
be in the following car, with Jennifer’s wheel chair in the
boot should she need to stop.
As it happened, Kevin announced that they would ride to
Toowoomba [about an hour’s drive away]. We were amazed that
such a long ride was planned and we were very touched and
grateful for this kind gesture, but wondered if Jennifer would
be able to stay on the bike for so long.
With Jennifer sitting upright, helmet on, leather jacket and
gloves all supplied for her ride, she looked so happy and we
shared with her this wonderful feeling of friendship that was
given so freely and with such warmth..
So we set off. It was a perfect day as the sun shone and the
countryside looked beautiful.
With music playing in the car, and the two riders ahead, we
followed happily with me taking the video of ‘Jennifer’s
Ride’.
When we reached Toowoomba, we knew that it was the best thing
that had happened to Jennifer for years. She was so happy and
was comfortable and ready and able to get back on the bike for
the return journey. We all went to have a coffee and sandwich,
at The Subway. This was another treat as Jennifer just loves
their crab sandwiches.
Back home, but it was not the end, as Kevin was able to lift
the wheel chair with Jennifer in it up to the house and we were
invited in to have a cup of tea and cake and watch the video on
their big-screen TV. They were so very kind and tried to make a
copy, so Jennifer could have the video tape there and then, but
could not work out how to do it.
So we all watched and enjoyed the film I had taken - except
for ten minutes when all we could see was the car floor.
This made us laugh, and I felt a bit of a fool, but at least
I was able to delete that part when I got home and copied the
tape onto the video tape for Jennifer.
So, with many words of gratitude, lots of hugs, and promises
that Jennifer would be invited over for a barbeque one day, we
left Morag and Kevin to go back to Jennifer’s. We did not plan
to stay overnight but Thelma had driven a lot and was tired and,
besides, we were so keen to see the video again and talk about
the wonderful time we all had, that we ended up staying the
night again.
However, this was not like the last time when we were all so
unhappy, this time for us it was a different story. We were so full
of excitement, chatting non-stop about the great time we’d had
that day.
So, with fish and chips to finish off the day, and with a
stiff whisky for Thelma and me, we finally hit the sack.
Unlike my last stay, this time I was able to sleep well and
it was all due to Frank Murray for his helpful suggestion, and
for the kindness of Kevin and Morag who gave so much to a young woman who
suffers from Spina Bifida. It was truly a day to remember.
I would like to record my thanks to the kind people of The
Gold Coast Social Motor Cycle Riders Group. They were the people
who, I knew, would help me, and it was their member, Frank
Murray, who helped me to get it all going.
And, of course, very special thanks go to Kevin and Morag
who, without hesitation, and with love and kindness, made it
possible for a lovely young woman who suffers from Spina Bifida
to enjoy a wonderful day she will never forget.
- Lorraine Roxon Harrington
Oxenford, Queensland, Australia.
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