The Lee Hookers
Hello this is Mike Ward. On April 13th 2022 I was co vectored by four potentially lethal viruses, Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, LaCrosse Encephalitis and though vaxxed Covid. LaCrosse had never been seen before in Me, NH, VT, Ma, Ct, or NY. The doctors were convinced that I was done. So they put me on a ventilator and sent my son to get my will. When I was extubated 4 days later I didn’t know my own name.
Two and a half years on I’m still not 100%. Long Covid and other associated post viral effects on my strength and concentration have slowed me down. I had to relearn how to write, re acquire my balance and motor skills. I didn’t dare ride my bike again for over a year. Covid nailed me again for 10 days over last Christmas. And now I’m still rebuilding myself after a 2 month bout of Lyme Disease and Anaplasmosis this summer.
So what’s this about? This Saturday October 12th marks the final ride of the King Challenge to benefit the David Krempels Brain Injury Center. In 14 years the Challenge has raised over $1.4m to support the Center’s work with individuals at who have suffered closed head injuries. Given what I’ve dealt with I would put Encephalitis into that category. Though I have not needed to avail myself of their services, there are some folks who are not so lucky.
I’ve ridden and fundraised in 3 prior King Challenges. While I’m not the cyclist that I was before 2022, I can’t miss the final iteration. I don’t have the endurance to do the 62.5 mile metric century. So my partner Michael Kennard, another ancient Lee NH native, and I are riding the half century. If you can contribute what you can to our fund raising goal of $2000 it will be greatly appreciated. Not by us but for someone that you’ve never met.
From Mike & Mike AKA “The Lee Hookers”
King Challenge 2024
The King Challenge is a fundraising event benefiting the David Krempels Brain Injury Center, a Portsmouth, NH based nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people living with brain injury.
David Krempels Brain Injury Center
The David Krempels Brain Injury Center's misson is to improve the quality of life of people living with brain injury through evidence-based programming, shared experiences, and support in a welcoming community.
KBIC was founded in 1995 by David Krempels, who, after surviving a traumatic car accident resulting in a brain injury, invested his time and money to support other brain injury survivors and their families.