Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/703695
56 nAugust 2016n www.thunderpress.net THUNDER PRESS But, Stein offered with emotion in her voice, "It's heart wrenching to see them every year and see how their bodies have deteriorated. But they still have the mind of a fun kid and that is what keeps us going." Stein noted that a rider does not have to be a H.O.G. member to support the event, putting in a pitch for more trikes. Speaking of the trike, the seven at this year's event were all lined up next to the two-wheelers as lunch was being prepared, and many of the kids were moving around with the assistance of their camp aides. Some of the kids were able to walk, if a little unsteady, while others were zipping around in electric wheelchairs, with aides push- ing others in manual wheelchairs. One of those able to walk, Ryan, was looking intently at a shiny red two-wheel Harley-Davidson. The rider went over to talk to him and Ryan asked direct and specifi c questions about the bike, inquiring about bal- ancing it in a corner, braking, riding at speed, weight and cost, and whether it is comfortable. For quite a while the rider and Ryan talked about motorcy- cles and riding. Then the rider asked Ryan if he wanted to sit on the bike and have his picture taken. With the assistance of his aide and sporting a broad smile, Ryan got settled on the bike and had his photo taken—one of those very special smiles the riders had been describing. Still smiling, Ryan headed over to lunch with the other kids. As huge as his smile was, the rid- er's smile was larger. Then lunch was over and the kids hurriedly lined up for their rides. Beginning with Hannah, one after another was given their gift of a skull cap. Then each was fi tted with a helmet and helped onto a trike for a ride. In many cases retired Marine Mike Harris from El Cajon H.O.G. lifted the kid onto the seat, with the assistance of the camp aides. First in line was Hannah, sporting a broad smile. As she took off on her ride with Paul Rios, all of the descriptions of joy came into focus. The riders kept it up, ride after ride, ensuring each and every kid who wanted a ride had a good time. Some of the kids came back, were helped off the trikes and went to the back of the line so they could go again. No prob- lem! The basis for El Cajon H.O.G. Assistant Director Acord's goal of 20 trikes quickly became apparent. With the seven trikes, there were times all of them were out with kids, leaving the others waiting in line. But the rides continued, including Mulligan taking Athena out. As they departed, Athena waved and pumped both fi sts in the air, all the while smil- ing broadly. In some cases, for safety consid- erations it was necessary for a camp aide to get on the trike to assist the kid. So from time to time a threesome was seen rolling along the roads and through the parking lots. Three smiling faces attesting to the moment. At the end of the day, it was not possible to adequately describe the impact of the rides on the kids or the kids on the riders. Best put, one smile many times over said it all. As Dickinson said, "After seeing the kids' reactions to the bikes and how much fun they had, how could we not do this every year?" 4 El Cajon H.O.G. Continued from page 46 El Cajon H.O.G. at camp prior to giving rides