When learning that many more than 100,000 people with disabilities may remain on a waiting list for up to nine years to get on the Medicaid waiver program, Mikail released the following statement:

"As a 7th generation Texan, I am appalled that neither the Senate nor House committees has stepped up to the plate to fund a 20% reduction in the waiting lists for $252 million. Not only does this inaction leave 87,000 languishing on the lists, but causes Texas to lose some $375 million in federal matching funds, all the while leaving $8 billion unspent in the so-called Rainy Day Fund."

Day 1 (Sun., 3/4)

Held a great press conference at VOLAR Center for Independent Living in El Paso. 32 degrees F. at start of El Paso Marathon where I was honored to be the lead racer. Glad-handed with Mayor Cook. Passing refurbished Mission de Corpus Christi at 8am, the bells began to chime... what a great omen! Long, arduous day, body not quite up to par, having trouble at 34 miles.

Day 2(Mon., 3/5)

Met with film crew from Vermillion Pictures. They are doing a documentary on the eradication of polio and the effects of post-polio on folks. They will be shooting me today on the road.

Cycled through a LONG mountain pass, consisting of 4 continuous uphill runs of about 1,000 feet. Having trouble getting above 5 mph due to head winds; wind so strong that I cannot roll downhill... I am pushed back uphill if I don't pedal.

Day 3(Tue., 3/6)

Breakfast and early shoot with film crew. Wonderful people... so real... so kind... so professional! WORLD OF DIFFERENCE today... bike rolls downhill very well. After 25 miles, I hit a 3 mile climb at about 20 degrees inclination. Make it up within a hour and then see a blessing ahead of me: IT'S ALL DOWNHILL TO VAN HORN FROM THERE!

Day 4(Wed. 3/7)

Took the handcycle/trailer for an incredible breakfast of chorizo/egg and chile verde con carne burritos. On a ride day I burn about 500 calories an hour minimum. Visited the Van Horn Advocate for a press interview. Bought a new digital camera as mine fell out of my pocket on the road and went under the wheels of a semi.

God bless you all and thanks for the prayers... THEY ARE WORKING GREAT!
Love,
Mikail

Day 5 (Thu., 3/8)

Imagine driving your car 8.5 mph for 40 miles uphill the whole way.. no flat terrain, head winds at 5-10 mph. From Van Horn to Marfa is ALL uphill, rising 1200 feet in elevation. Absolutely GORGEOUS scenery!!! Along the way, I encountered a road crew spraying creosote along the edge of the road. I spent the next 25 miles breathing those fumes. By the time I got to Valentine, the halfway point for the day, (and after 8 hours on the road elapsed time) I was just about spent. Just like Mr. Lomax in Van Horn, a new friend Michael was an angel sent from above who provided me with encouraging words.

I arrived in Marfa about 5pm and I went to the motel room and crashed... .

Day 6(Fri., 3/9)

Met with Andrew from the NPR Public Radio Station in Marfa for a great interview. I launched off for Marathon. About 6 miles down the road, a construction crew doing road repair stopped me and said that they would have to transport me the next 6 miles through the one lane traffic. I agreed and started off again on my handcycle 6 miles down the road.

I arrived in Alpine, then traveled on after a big lunch to Marathon, arriving 9 hours elapsed time after I left Marfa.

Boy, those road fumes from road construction, exhaust, and cold air were as much of a challenge as the ride.

Onward to Hondo, Shiner, Galveston, and Beaumont!

I'll send more tomorrow or Monday here from Marathon.

Thanks for all your prayers and support. The angels you sent did their work EXQUISITELY!!

Love,
Mikail

Day 7 (Sat. 3/10)

 

This is the most peaceful place in West Texas. Friends Geoffrey and Cecile from Austin arrive at noon to visit me and other friends here. Cecile offers a Reiki healing to me and I gladly accept. Dinner in town is followed by a marvelous healing sunset.

 

Day 8 (Sun 3/11)

 

Awake early and feel GREAT. Have breakfast with Geoffrey, Cecile, Marathon Motel owners (& friends) Danny & Mindy Self, their friend Robert from Austin, and a local rancher Doug.  

Spend some time doing much needed maintenance to the handcycle. Leaving from Del Rio headed for Brackettville. There should be no more serious hills to climb!  

The purpose of this trip is the mission to spread the word about disability issues, and to finish on 3/29 in Beaumont. I'm well on my way!  

West Texas is not for the timid… it will kick your butt if you don’t take care of yourself.

 

This morning I am counting the many blessings I have received on this trip. Here are a few:

Mr. Lomax in Van Horn, Michael Rivera from Marfa.

Throughout this trip, I have met NUMEROUS folks with disabilities who are excited about addressing their legislators about the issues. They just appear and ask what's going on!

And finally, the attached photo of a sandstorm in the afternoon, shows what I could have been driving through had I been on the road to Sanderson today... not to mention that further down the road it SNOWED and HAILED!

So... the moral of this story is to remember that blessings come when we least expect them, and they pile up when we are grateful for them.

Tomorrow (Tuesday, Day 9), I will ride with Chris to Del Rio. More to come!

Thanks again for your prayers and support,
Mikail  

Day 9 (Tue., 3/13)

Many thanks for the kindness of Jim Wright of Marathon Not only is his beloved wife an invalid diabetic, but his daughter is a post-polio like me. The world of disability just gets smaller every day!

Next, I'll be on my to Brackettville, TX.

The attached photo is of a card found attached to the back of a empty discarded hard pack of American Spirit cigarettes ( not mine!) left on the table at which I had dinner last night. IMHO, this is one more proof of the Universe's desire to see this disability awareness ride bear fruit! The confirming surprises just keep showing up! YAHOOOOO!

Blessings to you all,
Mikail

Day 16Mon., (3/19)

I regretfully depart my sister and brother-in-laws’ ranch. So great to be “back on the farm”. Today is mostly rolling hills, with some intense climbs but very few. I encounter a large number of gravel and cement trucks, but they keep their distance. After 45 miles, I am depleted when I get to my motel at IH37 and Southton Road. My dear friend and bike engineer, Jason Collier, comes to visit from San Antonio and we chow down on Tommy’s Hamburgers.

Day 17 (Tue., 3/20)

Leaving the motel in a light drizzle, I pass through the City of Elmendorf and reconnect with FM 1604 E headed to Seguin. The rain continues off and on until about noon, when I reach IH 10 at 30 miles. Gathering courage, I enter the shoulder lane and proceed with much traffic another 23 miles to Seguin where my good friend, Bernie Crosby, joins me so we can ride together the next day.

Day 18(Wed., 3/21)

It’s party time! My prison associate, Dr. Steve Larson, (with his road bike) and two new friends from Seguin, Larry & Charlie (with their recumbent cycles) show up and the five of us head out through scenic Seguin towards Gonzales and Shiner. What I expected as rolling hills turned into a nightmare of VERY STEEP inclines, some taken at less than 2 mph. Even the cyclists with me have a hard time in spots... and they are seasoned riders! By the time we reach Gonzales, I have developed severe right shoulder pain, and it feels like I have pulled a tendon. After everyone gets to Shiner, we all visit before the other cyclists head back to Seguin and Austin.

Day 19(Thu., 3/22)

Thank heaven for a rest day in Shiner! I have my arm checked out and find that it is only a pinched nerve. I spend the rest of today resting and typing these reports. My arm should be fine to do the remainder of the trip, as the remaining territory is mostly flat with some small inclines. More for you when I reach Galveston. The film crew will be meeting me in Surfside Beach to continue shooting footage! Wahoooo!

Blessings,
Mikail

March 30, 2007

I am finished... at least with the ride. I arrived in Beaumont yesterday to a huge, wonderful reception. RISE Center for Independent Living went all out with an incredible event!

Because I have not had computer access since Seguin, I have not been able to post any ride reports, but I will create a website with a complete overview and photos after my return to Austin.

My deepest thanks and blessings for all your prayers and support. I could not have accomplished this feat without them!

Mikail