SmileyRiley NEEDS our help - It's a tragic story !

[BOLT]

It started as just a normal desert ride in the early part of November just a few months back. Two (2) hours later a fellow rider, a man I only met the evening before & 30 year childhood pal to others, a father & husband, sole provider, self employed, good natured fellow that friends call Smiley Riley was on a helicopter headed for a new life.

http://smileyriley.org/images/helicopter.gif

Jim Riley is one of those special people that you shake your head asking why is HE the one fighting to stand again. He is fighting to walk again. He is fighting to use a fork. Jim will keep fighting. He will pick up that fork ! He will stand ! He will return to the desert ! It is NOT hopeless and there are signs of real progress !

If you would like to read Jim's story. If you feel it in your heart to help. If you want to know what you can do to help a stranger that you would have called friend shortly after sharing a beer with him, please also visit http://smileyriley.org

http://smileyriley.org/images/smileyriley_logo_450.gif (http://smileyriley.org)

The events calendar will soon be including Poker Nights, Poker Runs, Track Days and whatever else we come up with to have fun while raising funds to help Jim and his family.

Thanks guys !

[BOLT]

Great news Gang ! In an effort to streamline the Corporate Donation opportunities we have joined forces with RiderDown Foundation. Their board voted on it today and I received the call just this evening with the good news.

RiderDown will provide the legal Tax Exempt Status we need through their 501(c)(3). This means as I'm now an official RiderDown Volunteer working on behalf of SmileyRiley we are able to secure donations of products, services and cash from corporations, most of which always require a Federal TAX-ID before they can make a donation.

Additionally, donations to SmileyRiley are now Tax Deductible.

This is a HUGE win for Jim. YEAH !

We cannot thank everyone at RiderDown Foundation enough. Art, Bruce, David... you guys simply ROCK !

[BOLT]

That's right RIDERS... Jim Walked 30 Feet Yesterday ! It was assisted walking in the parallel bars... But he moved those feet... and he carried his weight ! This is mega huckin progress and a darn good DAY !

Check out photos in the SmilyRiley Gallery now.

[char393]

Wow, that is just awesome.

Best news I've heard all week!

[Riding the Metro]

Wow. That is great news. Keep it up Jim.

[Tatonka]

Awesome news Jim!! Keep on truckin'...........:thumb


Jeff - it's great to have you working with us, keep up the good work! :)

[BOLT]

http://smileyriley.org/images/raffle_eu2000i.gif (http://smileyriley.org/donation.htm)

[50ccMoM]

That's right RIDERS... Jim Walked 30 Feet Yesterday ! It was assisted walking in the parallel bars... But he moved those feet... and he carried his weight ! This is mega huckin progress and a darn good DAY !

Check out photos in the SmilyRiley Gallery now.

Wow !! This is great news !! Keep us posted !!

-Angie

[BOLT]

This is a SmileyRiley Benefit hosted by:
RIDERS & The RiderDown Foundation

Sat or Sun
Adults: $10 Kids: $5
Max per single family: $30

Both Days
Adults: $15 Kids: $5
Max per single family: $40

BBQ dinner both Saturday and Sunday
Burgers, Dogs & Condiments Provided

BYO - Chips & Drinks

Please RSVP ASAP ! Click HERE (http://ridersonline.org/rsvp.htm)

The Husky Memorial was recently restored with a new Tank, Seat and Fenders. It looks beautiful. If you have never been this would be a great trip for you.

http://ridersonline.org/images/misc/husky.gif

Rides will include:

Cuddleback Dry Lake to Husky
Cuddleback Dry Lake to Randsburg
Cuddleback Dry Lake to Spangler Hills
Cuddleback Dry Lake to El Pasos
Cal City MX TrackThis is an open invitation to all !

Please RSVP ASAP ! Click HERE (http://ridersonline.org/rsvp.htm)

[BOLT]

Talked to Jim and Leslie today. He is getting stronger all the time.

This week Jimmy WALKED twice around the large gym at the rehab center in the Lite Gait carrying his own weight !

The Lite Gait is like a small crane with a harness. It can carry all... or part of... or none of your weight. Set to not hold his weight at all but just keep him from tipping Jim walked not feet but around the gym TWICE. One person moved the Lite Gait while one person followed Jim as spotter. But Jim went for a serious walk grunting out "I WILL WALK !"

We were all so bumped that they don't have a video camera... so I just ordered one up... If anyone wants to buy a few raffle tickets or send in a donation to help share the cost with me that would be great.

We need some video for the next time Jimmy decides to go for a stroll !

Keep up the great work Jimmy !

[erik727]

That's outstanding news !!!!!! Been in one of those myself before,,,it's no easy task..


Erik

[BOLT]

Thanks to Mike Parker (long time friend if Jim and Leslie) CORVA posted Jimmy's story in the June edition of Off Roaders In-Action Magazine. They dedicated almost all of Page 16 !

http://www.corva.org/ORIA/2007/ORIA_sm2007-05.gif
Click Here (http://www.corva.org/ORIA/ORIA.html)

Thanks CORVA !

Why YOU should JOIN CORVA?

The California Off-Road Vehicle Association is a “grass roots” membership organizationrepresenting all recreational off-road vehicle users -- whether you ride motorcycles, 3- or 4-wheelers, dune buggies, sand rails, 4x4s, SUVs or off-road racing vehicles.

CORVA is protecting your land-use rights! Since 1968, millions of acres of California’s public land have been closed to off-road recreationists. Despite the many closures, CORVA has been successful for over 30 years in keeping California riding areas open and appealing those which have closed.

California’s public lands are for the public’s use -- off-roaders included. When you join CORVA, you are joining thousands of off-roaders who want the same thing...a safe and fun place to ride. We encourage you to join our off-roading family, today!

[BOLT]

We've run into a bit of a crunch. Today Jim & Leslie told me they don't think they can come to the Husky Ride (http://www.smileyriley.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=56) we are having in their honor to raise funds for the family. The Riley's have been able to survive on savings and donations. Their savings is now officially gone and the initial outpouring of love in the form of financial donations has slowed dramatically. The truth is they don't have the gas money to get there or the funds to pay for a room when they arrive. I'm now working with the Hotel to see if a room donation is possible.

On the UP side Jim expects his first Social Security check to arrive in about a month. It won't be a lot but will certainly be needed. Additionally, we have some fund-raising ideas in the works we HOPE will make a difference in a couple months. And of course I'll announce them here.

Right now we need your help ! The next several weeks are gonna be real difficult for Jim & Leslie. So if you are reading this for the first time... If you wanted to help and just haven't had time... if you know someone that might be interested in heping... NOW IS THE TIME !

All donations no matter how large or small are needed and appreciated. We even have a Honda Generator give away running if you would like buy some tickets.

Several Options for helping can be found HERE (http://smileyriley.org/donation.htm)

http://ridersonline.org/images/smiles/notworthy.gif
I thank you all for your prayers and anything you can do for the Riley family.

[BOLT]

Memorial weekend while in the mountains of Big Bear I got an email from a stranger telling me "I want to give Jim a wheel chair lift and install it for FREE !" (Laptop cellular connection... LOL) In shock, I read it again and again just hoping it was not a terrible Internet prank. I called the number the fella left in the email, left a message and hoped for the best.

Not long after I get a call from John George. He is serious. He does wheel chair lifts for a living. He is a Lifetime Off Roader and CORVA (http://corva.org) member and read about Jimmy in the June issue of CORVA's magazine Off Roader In Action (http://corva.org/ORIA/ORIA.html).

A special Thank You goes out to Mike Parker (http://www.parkerplumbing.net), Jimmy's buddy for getting the SmileyRiley Story published in the magazine in the first place !

John tells me of his own life and tragedy his family has known and said he just felt something for Jim and wanted to help. He has a bumper hitch lift in stock and wanted to donate it including installation. WOW ! After some discussion about Jim's expensive electric wheel chair and Leslie's van and we agree a more expensive inside the car solution will be required. But this can get expensive quickly. Damn the dollars, Jim and Leslie need this lift !

Saint John as we call him goes to the manufacturer and asks for help... They knock off some money and offer free shipping saving us $300... YEA ! Then Saint John drives to a friends Honda Dealership and tells him about SmileyRiley. His buddy says "I'm in for a couple hundred." Thank you to John's friend Jim Woods, Owner of Simi Valley Honda & Seadoo (http://www.simivalleyhondaseadoo.com/) and President of N2DIRT (http://n2dirt.org) the Riders Educational Arm of CORVA !

Are you starting to see why we call him Saint John ?

Then John calls and says "The lift is here... I am on my way." So he and Mrs. Saint John drive 130 miles from Simi Valley to Temecula to install the lift in Jim and Leslie's driveway at 6:30 PM on a Monday night. It's in and tested by 10:00 PM and Mr. & Mrs. Saint John are home just after Midnight thanks to Mrs. Saint John's high speed highway skills !

Photos are in the Gallery NOW (http://www.smileyriley.org/coppermine/index.php).

John we can't thank you enough for your love and needed assistance ! You simply ROCK.

John George Welding - Mobile Service - (805) 587-1383


We are down to only $1,000 left to cover the balance of the lift which is currently on John's Saint John credit card. Please feel free to help.

http://ridersonline.org/images/donate_on.gif (https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_xclick&business=smiley-donations%40ridersonline%2eorg&item_name=Jim%20Riley%20Donation&shipping=0&return=http%3a%2f%2fsmileyriley%2eorg%2fthanks%2ehtm&cn=Donor%20Comments&tax=0&currency_code=USD&bn=PP%2dDonationsBF&charset=UTF%2d8)

[TwinTurbos]

Jeff,

Thank you for keeping us posted. We're really glad to hear Jim got the lift he needed!! And of course, a big thank you to "Saint John" for all his efforts!!

!=!

Amy

[50ccMoM]

I'm totally speechless ! (Those that know me well, know that doesn't happen often).

Jeff,

Thanks for the update.

Thanks John !


WOW ! !=!

[Gatlin5]

Jeff,

That is incredible, it never ceases to amaze me the generousity and love in ones heart that they will reach out to another person and to do so much for nothing in return other than the gratitude for what they have and can do for that human being. St John is a rather fitting nickname.

[50ccMoM]

Jeff,

That is incredible, it never ceases to amaze me the generousity and love in ones heart that they will reach out to another person and to do so much for nothing in return other than the gratitude for what they have and can do for that human being. St John is a rather fitting nickname.


Yep, ditto what Joe said !!!!

[BOLT]

Yep... These things make me smile... Heck I'm smiling right now ! :)

[Tatonka]

I'd love to hear an update on Jim and how things are going for the Riley's...:cool

[BOLT]

RIDERS member Garret was able to do some barter with work vendors to get Jim and Leslie a house full of real wood flooring to make the house wheel chair friendly. Then he drove to Central CA to pick it up and deliver it to Temecula.

What a great gift this is Garrett and Cassie... THANK YOU !

Garret, Cassie, Leslie, Patrick & Jim
http://www.smileyriley.org/coppermine/albums/uploads/garrett_flooring/normal_100_0006.JPG

More photos in the Smiley Gallery:
http://www.smileyriley.org/coppermine/thumbnails.php?album=20

[xr650rocketman]

Well done Garrett and Cassie.
Jeff thanks for the update. We were talking about Jim last weekend at the RDF Booth at the National Outdoor MX Races. He looks good in the pictures.

Steve Smith

[mark975]

That's awesome! Glad to see an update.

Vikki

[BOLT]

"JIM in the GYM"

Check out the videos of Jim working out... I think he is starting to develop more stamina than me !

http://www.smileyriley.org/coppermine/index.php and then click on "Jim in the GYM" There are some new videos I just got last week.

[Tatonka]

That's awesome to see Jim working so hard and everyone pulling together for the Riley's!! Right on! :thumb

[BOLT]

If you have never been to a rehabilitation center to visit one of our injured riders to see them in action you are really missing an amazing experience. Yolanda and I went to visit the Rileys in San Diego at the gym/rehab center where he works out to see Jim's progress. We were just BLOWN AWAY !

First thing, when we get there Leslie starts running over with her big smile to give us both big bear hugs... But once I get free to shake Jimmy's hand like the typical macho dysfunctional male that I am, he too throws out his arms for a big bear hug. The emotion was running wild, not just cause of his disarming way but because I didn't know he could even reach out for me like that.

So they had just finished their first hour of working out and were headed to lunch. Jim is driving his performance tuned wheel chair... Leslie grabs hold of the handles, steps onto the base of the back of the chair and off they go... Jogging is required to keep up with them ! LOL

Even through lunch I am seeing just how much Jim has improved, leaning forward to take a drink and sitting back with ease showing off great torso strength. They brought a bunch of video for me to put on the SmileyRiley website that we watched in amazement as Jim was working his arms and WALKING. True he is still learning to walk all over again... but HE IS ON HIS FEET and WALKING !

I had the pleasure of presenting Jim and Leslie with RiderDown love in the form of a check and RDF Ts and goodies. Leslie tore the top of the envelope open but handed it to Jim to let him pull the letter and check from the envelop. This too is HUGE as the fine motor skills required to grip paper is very hard. Jim pulled it out and opened the letter to read.

A couple photos later and Jim was off to get back to work. He said he had a new thing he wanted to show me. I chase him over to a bed height matte where Leslie takes the left arm off him chair... Jim pulls up to the matte... puts his feet on the floor and uses his legs to push himself up and out of the chair onto the matte. Then he lifts his legs, places his feet on the matte and scoots into a sleeping position. People this is PROGRESS ! It's not riding a bike or playing basket ball... but from total loss of function from the neck down less than a year ago this man is AMAZING !

Time for us to head out now to go meet Jordan and let Jim get back to work in earnest. More hugs good bye and a Teary Thank You to RDF for the love and goodies and we were on our way feeling lighter than air !

http://ridersonline.org/images/rdf/jim_present.gif

You can check out more pics and videos at http://smileyriley.org

If you are reading these Forums and have been thinking about maybe stepping forward to visit with or help someone in your area I recommend it very much. The reward is intense. It brightens your week... makes traffic seem lighter... food tastes better... smiles come easier... makes you better looking... chicks will dig you... your car will go faster... and your bike's tires will last longer !

[TwinTurbos]

Jeff,

Thanks for the great update and pics. It is so good to hear how well Jim is doing!!!! The progress he has made is amazing!

I also liked the last part of your post encouraging people to step up and reach out to someone in their area. Chicks definitely dig someone who helps out his fellow man!!;)

Amy

[mark975]

I'm so happy to hear about Jim's progress! Thanks for the update.

[erik727]

That's absolutely fabulous !!!!!!!!

[char393]

wow...

what an amazing story!!!!

[xr650rocketman]

Thanks for the update Jeff.
Best wishes to Jim....

[50ccMoM]

Thank you so much for the wonderful update. Jim has made some amazing progress. Best wishes to Jim and his family !

Jeff,

Thank you so much for all that you have done. I also enjoyed your last statement about helping others in your area.
:thumb


-Angie

[Tatonka]

Jim & Leslie - it is great to be able to hear about and see the progress that you are making. Jeff says you're chair rips! We're thinking about you and wishing you guys the best. Keep on smiling.. :cool

ps. I love the flags!! :thumb

[BOLT]

I wanna take a moment to again THANK the wonderful people here at RiderDown for their Great Works ! :thumb

RDF stepped in to stop the collection calls, negotiate a significant balance reduction & then payed off that balance with Mercy Air Helicopter Ambulance Service for Jim (Smiley) Riley.

Thanks RDF !

[BOLT]

PS - I also bragged on you guys on these other sites in the dirt biking and off road industry.


http://forums.cannondaler.com/viewtopic.php?t=11516

http://ktmtalk.com/index.php?showtopic=223412

http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=492769

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=219839

http://www.glamisdunes.com/invision/index.php?showtopic=105090

http://www.race-dezert.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28362

http://www.dezertrangers.com/vb/showthread.php?t=49310&highlight=traggic+story

http://www.trx450r.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=42432&hl=

[Tatonka]

The Riley's are going through enough of a challenge, they deserve all of our help and support. We (as in the entire off road community) needs to do more to take care of it's own.

Keep on smilin' Jim!! Your progress is inspiring!

[50ccMoM]

I wanna take a moment to again THANK the wonderful people here at RiderDown for their Great Works ! :thumb

RDF stepped in to stop the collection calls, negotiate a significant balance reduction & then payed off that balance with Mercy Air Helicopter Ambulance Service for Jim (Smiley) Riley.

Thanks RDF !


Im so thankful that the RiderDown foundation was able to do this for the Riley family. It is wonderful people like you BOLT that help make it possible. :thumb

Ditto what Bruce said too !


Keep up the wonderful progress Jim !! You know we are all cheering for you !!


-Angie

[Riding the Metro]

RIDERS member Garret was able to do some barter with work vendors to get Jim and Leslie a house full of real wood flooring to make the house wheel chair friendly. Then he drove to Central CA to pick it up and deliver it to Temecula.

What a great gift this is Garrett and Cassie... THANK YOU !

Garret, Cassie, Leslie, Patrick & Jim
http://www.smileyriley.org/coppermine/albums/uploads/garrett_flooring/normal_100_0006.JPG

More photos in the Smiley Gallery:
http://www.smileyriley.org/coppermine/thumbnails.php?album=20

I had the opportunity to meet Garret and Cassie last weekend. Great people with big hearts. Thank you both. Now what are you gonna do with all the extra hardwood floor tiles? The garage maybe? ha ha:lmao
Art

[TwinTurbos]

I just reread this thread and am so thankful to be a part of RDF! Jim and Leslie - You're amazing! Bolt - You've done a wonderful job helping the Rileys! We're so thankful you're a member of the RiderDown family!!