Born To Ride News

Kevin Stroughter is an all-star athlete who has lettered in football, basketball, track and baseball from his high school in Citrus Heights, Calif. But that’s not the only reason he is considered an inspiration by his peers. 

When Stroughter was 8 years old, he and a group of friends were playing in a field near his house in Rodeo, Calif., when they discovered a can of gasoline. They lit a tree stake they found in the grass and tossed gasoline on it to fuel the fire. The wind shifted and Kevin’s clothing became engulfed in flames.

Hours later, Kevin arrived by ambulance at Shriners Hospitals for Children® — Northern California in critical condition with burns over 70 percent of his body. He was given a 50 percent chance of survival and spent the next eight months in the hospital’s pediatric burn unit.

“I think they saved my baby’s life,” says Kevin’s mother Audra Sipp, who spent long days and nights at her son’s bedside.

Kevin endured several surgeries for skin grafts, dressing changes and many hours of physical therapy during his stay in the hospital. “It was hard,” Kevin recalls. “But I learned not to give up.”

Though he was often in pain, Kevin tried to make the best of the situation. While in the hospital, he trick-or-treated at the Halloween party, cast a line at the Shriners Kids Fishing Derby, celebrated his birthday and met NBA star Matt Barnes when he was playing for the Sacramento Kings.

By the time Kevin left the hospital, his family had relocated to Sacramento to be closer to Shriners Hospitals for Children®.

When he started third grade, his mother followed him from the hospital to the school and sat in the classroom until the teachers convinced her Kevin would be fine.

“Kevin is an example of why we work so hard to care for these critically ill children,” says David Greenhalgh, M.D., Chief of Burn Surgery at Shriners Hospitals for Children® — Northern California. “They can get through it and do extremely well.” 

Kevin returns to the hospital regularly for check-ups and surgeries to ensure he retains movement in his arms and other parts of his body that were scarred by the burns.

As a high school athlete, he has shown himself to be fast and flexible. Kevin plays running back on the football team, center on the basketball team and broke a league record for the fastest 100-yard dash in track. Georgetown University and the University of Oregon have expressed interest in him.

“We are delighted to see him do so well,” says Dr. Greenhalgh. “He has always had an excellent attitude and that has contributed to a great outcome for him.”

Every day in the Sunshine State hundreds, if not thousands of people are riding their motorcycles enjoying the breeze in their face and the feeling of freedom.  Florida offers hundreds of miles of great roadways and almost 12 full months of beautiful weather for our residents and visitors to get on a bike and cruise for hours.
It may sound harsh saying some motorcyclists take too much for granted, but many will say it’s true: 

·         Most don’t give a thought of what penalties a car/truck driver will face if they are involved in an accident with a motorcycle.  When it happens to someone the motorcyclists know, they are outraged at the slap on the wrist the offending driver receives, if anything at all.

·         Most never considered if their health care plan would cover them if they got hurt while on their bike, yet many are shocked when the health insurance they’ve been paying into for years shows them the “fine print” saying that injuries sustained while on a motorcycle may not be a covered event. 

·         Most enjoy the freedom of choice they are allowed in Florida every time they hop on their scoot… “Do I want to wear a helmet today?”  There are still thousands of bikers that don’t give it a second thought that just a decade ago they didn’t have that choice.

·         Most have heard the 2008 HB137 and the stricter sanctions it applied to overly excessive speeding and other motor vehicle infractions.  Many still don’t realize that originally this Bill only applied to motorcycles.  Freedom Fighters got involved and what became final law was not the original 30+ MPH over the limit, but now 50+ MPH.  The over thousands of dollars of fines related to vertical license plates was stricken from this Bill.  CONFISCATION OF YOUR MOTORCYCLES WAS STRICKEN FROM THE ORIGINAL LANGUAGE.  These changes didn’t happen on their own.

·         Many may think it’s a great thing for car drivers to see the “Look Twice, Save A Life” ABATE of Florida, Inc. billboard when they ride into Florida along I95 or drive through Pensacola, but some never give it a thought of how it was paid for.  Those involved know that ABATE of Florida, Inc, a 501 C(4) non-profit organization, has been awarded a million dollars over the past few years to help teach and remind drivers to always look out for motorcycles.

I know for a fact that at least 7,500+ bikers think of these issues.  They are the largest group of Freedom Fighters in Florida, fighting for motorcyclists’ rights.  Yes, there are others that “walk the line” as well, but the members of ABATE of Florida, Inc. have put together the largest Motorcycle Rights Organization in Florida’s history.  We’re the ones that offer you the opportunity to ride your motorcycle right up to the front steps of the Governor’s office to tell your elected officials what you want them to fight for and against.  No, not up to a parking lot nearby, but right onto the grounds, up the sidewalks, and park your scoot next to the Florida Capitol’s steps.

What I’m talking about is ABATE of Florida’s 15th Annual Freedom Rights Rally April 19, 2010.  Sure the local Tea Parties have been letting your legislators know that the general citizenry is unhappy with the way things are going, but if you ride, if you used to ride, and even if you don’t, why not join us in helping make sure all motorcyclists’ rights are being constantly fought for here in Florida?   There’s nothing like seeing the public’s faces as hundreds and hundreds of motorcycles rumble up the hill on Apalachee Pkwy and drive right up onto the Florida Capitol Grounds.  Make your plans now.  Be there with us.

Dave “Lockdown” Rich

State Public Relations Trustee,

ABATE of Florida, Inc.

PO Box 990584, Naples, FL 34116 

386.490.4821      386.490.4482 FAX

statepr@abateflorida.com    www.abateflorida.com/

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) is pleased to welcome John Willoughby to the Association’s staff. Willoughby will serve as the development director of the AMA, and will be responsible for raising funds and cultivating relationships with donors and supporters. One of Willoughby’s primary responsibilities will be raising funds for the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum.
“This is an exciting time for the AMA and the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum,” said AMA President and CEO Rob Dingman. “We are currently working on bringing the AMA Hall of Fame exhibit to the main floor and, ultimately, this new exhibit will elevate these amazing motorcyclists and their accomplishments to a level never before seen. John’s efforts in raising funds and communicating our goals to supporters of the AMA Hall of Fame and the AMA itself will be critical to the success of this project, and he couldn’t be on board at a better time.”

Willoughby, who currently lives near Orlando, Fla., is re-locating to Ohio to take the position.

“There are many motorcycle museums, but there is only one AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame,” Willoughby said. “The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame, and the museum that it calls home, occupies a unique position in the motorcycling community. I’m looking forward to fostering support for the Association as well as working with the American Motorcycle Heritage Foundation to raise funds and develop relationships that support the mission of the AMA Hall of Fame.”

An avid motorcyclist, Willoughby is a 25-year veteran who has worked with foundations, corporations, churches and major donors to raise funds and foster relationships. His background includes developing strategic initiatives, implementing tactical business plans and operational experience. He is also a Golden Gloves Boxing Champion.

Willoughby can be reached at (614) 856-1900, ext. 1266, or jwilloughby@ama-cycle.org.

About the American Motorcyclist Association
Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists’ interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through its Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations.