Bikers ride to support March of Dimes
Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2006 3:16 am
Bikers ride to support March of Dimes
BY CHRISTINA M. WOODS - The Wichita Eagle - kansas.com/mld/kansas
The doctor asked a question nearly a year ago that still moves Lainie Armstrong to tears: "We are going to do everything we can for both of you, but if it comes down to it, are you more concerned with saving baby Chance, or yourself?"
Doctors gave her son, Chance Caeden Armstrong, a 50 percent chance of survival after being born by emergency Caesarean section Nov. 12, 2005.
But Armstrong stood with Chance by her side Sunday in front of at least 100 motorcyclists in O.J. Watson Park, to remind them that their 100-mile ride for the March of Dimes Birth Defect Foundation earlier that morning was not in vain.
"This is just so important," Armstrong said.
Organizers could know by Tuesday how much money participants raised in the eighth year of the Wichita Bikers for Babies Ride. Last year's event raised $10,000 for the cause.
"It's a chance for hundreds of motorcyclists to get together and save babies' lives," said Jill Bosley, the organization's division director.
Motorcyclists such as Jeff Oblander didn't let temperatures in the 50s discourage them from getting out and riding -- in Oblander's case, on his Big Dog Vintage Classic motorcycle.
"I believe in this cause," he said.
So did Kelly Simmons, a friend of Armstrong's, who rode for the first time specifically to support Chance.
As Armstrong told the frightening details of Chance's birth, Simmons playfully bounced the 11-month-old in her arms.
"I've gotten plenty attached to this little guy," said Simmons, who plans to ride again next year.
It's a different picture than Armstrong first imagined for her son.
Instead of getting to hold him, she had to look at him through an incubator, connected to tubes, wires and monitors that would stay with him for the next three months in intensive care.
"His skin was transparent," Armstrong said. "He had fuzzy chick-like hair covering his whole body, and his ears were the thickness of a single rose petal.
"And to me, he was simply beautiful."
In three weeks, she will celebrate his first birthday.
Armstrong credits organizations like the March of Dimes for providing support and information to mothers in situations like hers.
"Chance truly is my little tiny superhero," she said, "and each night before bed as I'm counting my blessings, I count this one twice."
BY CHRISTINA M. WOODS - The Wichita Eagle - kansas.com/mld/kansas
The doctor asked a question nearly a year ago that still moves Lainie Armstrong to tears: "We are going to do everything we can for both of you, but if it comes down to it, are you more concerned with saving baby Chance, or yourself?"
Doctors gave her son, Chance Caeden Armstrong, a 50 percent chance of survival after being born by emergency Caesarean section Nov. 12, 2005.
But Armstrong stood with Chance by her side Sunday in front of at least 100 motorcyclists in O.J. Watson Park, to remind them that their 100-mile ride for the March of Dimes Birth Defect Foundation earlier that morning was not in vain.
"This is just so important," Armstrong said.
Organizers could know by Tuesday how much money participants raised in the eighth year of the Wichita Bikers for Babies Ride. Last year's event raised $10,000 for the cause.
"It's a chance for hundreds of motorcyclists to get together and save babies' lives," said Jill Bosley, the organization's division director.
Motorcyclists such as Jeff Oblander didn't let temperatures in the 50s discourage them from getting out and riding -- in Oblander's case, on his Big Dog Vintage Classic motorcycle.
"I believe in this cause," he said.
So did Kelly Simmons, a friend of Armstrong's, who rode for the first time specifically to support Chance.
As Armstrong told the frightening details of Chance's birth, Simmons playfully bounced the 11-month-old in her arms.
"I've gotten plenty attached to this little guy," said Simmons, who plans to ride again next year.
It's a different picture than Armstrong first imagined for her son.
Instead of getting to hold him, she had to look at him through an incubator, connected to tubes, wires and monitors that would stay with him for the next three months in intensive care.
"His skin was transparent," Armstrong said. "He had fuzzy chick-like hair covering his whole body, and his ears were the thickness of a single rose petal.
"And to me, he was simply beautiful."
In three weeks, she will celebrate his first birthday.
Armstrong credits organizations like the March of Dimes for providing support and information to mothers in situations like hers.
"Chance truly is my little tiny superhero," she said, "and each night before bed as I'm counting my blessings, I count this one twice."