My brother to my right, circa 2006.
In 2006, my older brother JayDee suffered from brain hemorrhage whilst having lunch. He simply passed out, and the only warning signs he reported prior to the incident were common headaches. He was rushed to the nearby hospital where the doctors worked hours to clear his brain tissues of the blood that spread. They were successful in preventing a fatality, but the hemorrhage left my brother in near paralysis and virtually bed-ridden ever since. His hemorrhage stemmed from being afflicted with Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM), a fact we didn't know until it was too late. His recovery and rehabilitation is at a very slow rate, but my family and I continue to hope for the best as his primary caregiver at our home.
What does this have to do with my bike?
Motorcycling has been my long-time passion; I am on the bike virtually every time that I'm not asleep. I ride it to work daily, I ride recreationally during the weekends, I hang out at the popular local motorsport spots, I volunteer in group rides, I do a number of trackdays per year, etc. So in wanting to do something for TAAF in my own unique way and simultaneously honor my brother, I thought, wouldn't it be a more effective and lasting effort to create awareness for the foundation if I used my bike as a moving billboard? I mean let's face it, even a common sportsbike that's parked turns more heads than your common car.
This would be my idea of a gift that keeps on giving. :)
The TAAF Bike.
But of course a matching suit.
It's a complete package! :)
I had already passed on this idea to the foundation, hoping that I would be able to use their logo and name. Admittedly, I was a bit worried that they may be apprehensive to allow association with sport motorcycling, given the common stigma sport riders have. To my surprise, the response I received from the foundation's executive director was one of equal enthusiasm and excitement to my own!
I know this is a permanent change, much like a tattoo, and I know that with the foundation having approved of my idea, I have practically volunteered myself to be a full-time ambassador of the cause whenever I'm on the bike, which means I have to be more cognizant of my actions while riding (*cough*wheelies!*cough*).
But I want to do this, at the very least to honor my brother.
Little known fact is four years ago before I started riding, I didn't see myself as a sport rider. I initially thought of myself a cruiser rider. Matter of fact, the first bike I threw a leg over when I was shopping for a bike was a Harley Davidson Sportster. I went home with the pamphlet and everything! It was my brother who simply told me, "Get a sportsbike. You'll like it more." By the time that week was over, he was in the hospital after his hemorrhage.
Of course I then followed his advice.
Four years later, nearly a dozen sportbikes owned, countless trackdays and miles as a sport rider, and he was right. I am the rider that I am now because of him. So strictly as a rider, it's time I do something for him. Motorcycling has been an individual passion for me that only indulged myself.
Now I have a chance to put this passion into greater use. And of more important personal note, I have a chance to truly honor my brother, who in his own serendipitous way, started me down the path that led me to this.
I also think that it would be of greater effect if I can do this as a community effort, as a show of solidarity for my cause, the foundation and their cause, and ultimately for my brother and his plight. As much as I am used to doing things on my own, relinquishing this passion of mine to a higher calling would be better achieved if I open it to those who support my cause in one way or another.
Here's to seeing this idea come to fruition and life, one that I believe deserves to, more than anything else I've ever conjured. :)
