Memphis groups donate therapy bikes to veterans
Custom-built to help disabled
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Keith Pate, a veteran who twice served in Iraq, recently got a bike.
But this bike is unlike any that you would find in a store.
His therapeutic tricycle gives Pate, who suffered a stroke after returning from his last tour of duty, more independence and mobility.
The bike was a gift from a group of about 50 individuals from four local organizations who met recently at Coletta’s Italian Restaurant in Bartlett to present it.
Pate has been working with his recreational therapist, Christy White, at the Memphis VA Medical Center to recover. White has been working with her peers at the VA to partner with Memphis for America and the national AMBUCS (American Business Clubs) to provide custombuilt bicycles for disabled veterans.
They have donated over 30 bikes in the two years that this effort has been under way in Memphis.
“It means so much to our vets to be able to get out on these bikes. We’re so thankful for the work that AMBUCS and Memphis for America are doing,” said White.
Memphis for America and AMBUCS, have long histories in Memphis, but the Bikes for Vets initiative is relatively new. AMBUCS is a nearly 100-year-old organization which focuses on helping disabled kids achieve increased mobility by building bicycles and tricycles for them.
Danny Cline is a resident of Memphis who received a hand- operated tricycle, one of the first bikes in AMBUCS’ Bikes for Vets program in 2011. He stressed the debt he feels to those kids.
“If AMBUCS hadn’t been working with the kids, I would’ve never got my bike. I don’t want people to forget about the kids.”
Gordon Brig man worked as a special education teacher in Memphis City Schools for 31 years, and volunteered as director of the Special Olympics for the Memphis area for 25 years. In both capacities he was familiar with AMBUCS.
“AMBUCS Vets’ initiative really motivated me,” he says. “It’s all about giving these vets an improved sense of independence and mobility. It brightens their day. That’s the whole idea behind recreational therapy.”
The VA works with AMBUCS through recreational therapy programs to select candidates, and then AMBUCS builds a unique bike to fit that individual’s specific needs. Both groups work with Memphis for America for fundraising and awareness.
Memphis for America was founded in 1970 to promote patriotism in the midst of the social upheaval surrounding the Vietnam War.
Jim Brown, a veteran of the Korean War, explained the group’s roots.
“On the 19th of June 1969, Bobby Martin Jr. was killed in Vietnam. When his parents erected a flag on their mailbox that same week in memorial of their son, it was twice stolen and trampled by disrespectful youths. Mayor (Henry) Loeb and Buddy Martin Sr. were neighbors, and they got together with their wives to start a group that would encourage patriotism and teach the American values that they felt were lacking.”
Brown now leads the group in Memphis and is recruiting help. “We need new members,” he said.
For more information, contact Gordon Brigman with AMBUCS at GBrig57080@aol.com.