This made my day! (long)

[RudyF6]

  I read most of last week's various threads on autism because it hits kind of close to home. I can kind of relate to some of the highs and lows expressed by others; my Godson, my 14 year old nephew has Asperger's.
  He and his mom just happened to be staying with us for a few days (they live in another state).
  On Sunday we had no plans until dinner, so while the wife, sis-in-law, and nephew lounged, I went for a ride. Stopped for a break, I called home to see where and when to meet for dinner, and the question was posed. Apparently, this kid that had never shown any interest, decided to ask his mom if she thought I might take him for a ride! In anticipation, they had found him a helmet and jacket hoping I'd agree. I was hesitant, but said we'd talk about it at dinner. I spent the next hour thinking hard about how to go about it, explaining what he might see, feel, and hear (I didn't think he'd like a helmet on, doesn't like loud noise, has a hard time sitting still, etc.) along with instructions I'd give any new passenger. I was ready!
  After dinner, we went to an empty parking lot and following all my instructions to a tee, we did a few laps and figure 8's. This was as much for me as him - at 14 yrs the kid's 6' and 200 lbs! I think leaning kind of freaked him out, but because I explained it to him beforehand he did ok. He was ready!
  Down the road we went, only a 15-20 min. ride home, but was it great! He never made a sound, got used to leaning, did well for a first timer. Damn gnats kinda got in my eyes a couple of times on the way (and a couple as I type), I really never thought we'd be able to do this.
When we got home, the grin on his face was ear to ear and priceless! I think mine was too!
  Since he played in my world, I had to play in his. I have a hard time at it, but we spent most of the rest of the night playing his video games, and I loved it. I feel closer to him now than I ever have.
  Sorry so long, but I had to share.

  What a fantastic day! 

[Jabba]

Outstanding!

What we really have to give is memories.  I don't take enough time to make memories with my son.  I have started trying harder to do so.

I have never heard of an old man on his death bed say "I wish I had spent a little less time with my kids, and worked a little more."

Good for you both!   

Jabba

[Skinhead]

That is really cool!  I have often wondered if the theraputic benefits we get from riding would carry over to special needs kids.  I have tried to come up with a safe way to provide rides for Cancer patients or other kids that may never get to experience the thrill we take for granted.  Unfortunately liability concerns seem to prevent people from wanting to get involved.  I'm glad you were able to share some wind with your godson.

[czuch]

Way good on ya!!      gnats
They have threaputic horse/dog/cat groups.
When I was going for my degree I looked right out of central casting for the biker movie.
I took some of my pals to the house where I worked. Some of them were pretty tough hombres with records and time behind them. Those kids melted every one of them. Hard to get em in, hard to get em out. I think its a great idea and I'll bet you do it again.  Thanks.

[old2soon]

+ a bunch. That is a memory you will treasure for as long as you live.  RIDE SAFE.

[Daniel Meyer]

 

[Robert]

Beauty is not a girl on the beach in a bikini but a man and boy both sharing the same experience and joining each others world. Thanks that was really great I must commend you for going outside the box and trying. 

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

 

[Detn8er]

I await the day when my Grandson Ryan can touch the passenger pegs with his little feet......He wants to ride and understands that he has to fit in order to do so.......I think it will help him to feel "normal" for a while.......I'm no good at the games either but he sure does have a hoot watching me try. 

It does indeed make one feel good when they can do something special for the special people. 

[Valker]

As a former Special Ed. teacher, I've had the opportunity to take many of my students for rides. One of my student's parent had almost never had time alone because of their special needs child. I frequently sat with this child on weekends when not riding season. Took them for a short ride and love of riding was born. I took this kid on a 500 mile one way rally trip once. After 12 hours on the bike, we arrived at the rally site, set up the tent, and had a bit of time left over before activities started. I asked what they wanted to do while waiting...response was "Let's go for a ride"!

[Hef]

I stated in an earlier post that my 7 yr old grandson has a form of autism and does the head jerking, arm & leg flailing thing at times. When he was younger I would sit him on the tank between my legs and take him around the yard. He did great and we noticed he never showed any signs of the autism when riding, so we started going on the rural roads. He loves my M/C and is now big enough to ride behind me on the passenger seat. I strap us together to make sure he doesn't fall off and then we go on some 25-50 mile rides and he does great.  It is quality time for me as well as for him. Love those grandkids. Hef

[Lil D]

+1

[GreenLantern57]

Dang gnats.   

[shortleg]

 It is funny what a moment in the wind can do to heal the
mind and body
   We have a teacher across the street that trys
different environments for all her students.
  She has found that horse back and Motorcycles
  have
proved to be the most advantages.
   That being said, it,s also good to give to those that need us.
       Shortleg[Dave]

[Jabba]

This is good evidence that we are not, in fact, nuts, and there REALLY is psychological benefits to being "in the wind".

We of course... all know it to be true.  But non riders don't.

Jabba