Friday, 3/14/08 at 4:33 PM
by Tara Llanes
by Tara Llanes
It can be done!
Hey everyone!! It’s been a little while I know. Well, there have been some updates from me, but they haven’t been specifically for Giant for Women so I want to take the time to say hi again and sorry for being tied up for the past few months. Some of you may know that I had a pretty bad crash on September 1, 2007 and am currently paralyzed from the waist down. Although that won’t be for much longer! 
I am working really hard at physical therapy and I better be up and out of this chair soon or I’m gonna go bananas!
Not long after I got home from Colorado I went up to Giant to meet with the other Giant for Women “women” as well as the rest of the company. I have been part of this company going on 5 years and I can’t tell you how great it was to see everybody. I had been in a hospital bed for 3 ½ months and it was extremely important for me to see all the people that had supported me and continued supporting me through the hardest time in my life. The bicycle industry is a very small industry in the grand scheme of things, but I am very proud to be part of it.
It was really important that I write this blog. I want everyone to know that there are going to be times that you fall off your bike both literally and figuratively speaking. Some falls may be harder than others, but no matter what you need to know how to get back up. Everyone should realize the strength that they have within themselves. Whether it’s a bump on the knee or a tough task at work gone wrong, everyone should realize that it’s not the end of the world! When I got hurt it was doing something that I love very very much and as soon as I get better you better believe I’ll be back on a bike!
I don’t mean to sound like I’m preaching or anything, but I’ve learned through my own life experiences that you can overcome just about anything if you realize your strength, your determination, and your will. A lot of people forget about those things and get stuck. Just remember that you CAN do anything it is that you want to accomplish. Whether it’s clearing a 10-foot set of doubles, learning how to use clipless pedals, or getting a promotion, KNOW that if you put your mind to it it CAN be done. For me it’s walking again and ultimately riding. And I know this might sound nuts, but if I could just skip the whole walking thing and just ride I might just be okay with that! Either way that’s my thing and I will pull every bit of strength, determination, and will I have to get back on two wheels. If I can do it anybody can.
Keep the rubber side down and do what you love no matter what it is!
Cheers,
tara
I am working really hard at physical therapy and I better be up and out of this chair soon or I’m gonna go bananas! Not long after I got home from Colorado I went up to Giant to meet with the other Giant for Women “women” as well as the rest of the company. I have been part of this company going on 5 years and I can’t tell you how great it was to see everybody. I had been in a hospital bed for 3 ½ months and it was extremely important for me to see all the people that had supported me and continued supporting me through the hardest time in my life. The bicycle industry is a very small industry in the grand scheme of things, but I am very proud to be part of it.
It was really important that I write this blog. I want everyone to know that there are going to be times that you fall off your bike both literally and figuratively speaking. Some falls may be harder than others, but no matter what you need to know how to get back up. Everyone should realize the strength that they have within themselves. Whether it’s a bump on the knee or a tough task at work gone wrong, everyone should realize that it’s not the end of the world! When I got hurt it was doing something that I love very very much and as soon as I get better you better believe I’ll be back on a bike!
I don’t mean to sound like I’m preaching or anything, but I’ve learned through my own life experiences that you can overcome just about anything if you realize your strength, your determination, and your will. A lot of people forget about those things and get stuck. Just remember that you CAN do anything it is that you want to accomplish. Whether it’s clearing a 10-foot set of doubles, learning how to use clipless pedals, or getting a promotion, KNOW that if you put your mind to it it CAN be done. For me it’s walking again and ultimately riding. And I know this might sound nuts, but if I could just skip the whole walking thing and just ride I might just be okay with that! Either way that’s my thing and I will pull every bit of strength, determination, and will I have to get back on two wheels. If I can do it anybody can.
Keep the rubber side down and do what you love no matter what it is!
Cheers,
tara
Comments
I found out about your accident the day after it happened on BikeForums.com and I've been following your progress ever since. Way to go, kid !! I'm proud of you, so those who actually know you must be ecstatic over your will and determination.
I just wanted to let you know that a LONG time ago (about late Sept. 2007) I put a link to your Road To Recovery Fund on my website - http://www.themanfromvan.com My site is outdoors oriented. I hope my link has generated some interest in your recovery, even though I don't get a mondo amount of hits.
I'll be keeping up with you through you MySpace blog. When you do walk again, you can be sure there's an overweight, middle aged married guy with three kids in PA dancing a jig in celebration for you !! Hang in there. You're in my prayers every day.
I have heard lots about you and your road to recovery. My husband broke his back ten years ago and suffered partial severing of the spinal cord. He was very stubborn and very determined and he recovered. He is now a standing paraphylegic, yeah he has no gluts, hamstrings or calf muscles but he uses all the ones he does have to rip it up on his snowboard and mountain bike. It sure is possible and you will do it - it just takes time and determination and it sure sounds like you using both to get there! If you ever need any inspiration from someone who has succeeded in getting out of a chair and back on a bike let me know!
Tash.
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