This year, the soccer coaches chose to raise money for a national organization so that the money raised will impact all of the communities that will be involved in the bike ride and beyond.
In attempting to decide which charity to raise money...we were having a difficult time trying to decide which direction to go.
Then...I received a Facebook message that led to a phone call. A phone call that had gone un-dialed for far, far too long.
The message was from a man by the name of Mr. Randall James; a teacher and friend whom made a major impact on my life.
Unfortunately and regretfully, I had lost contact with Mr. James over the years simply because I was too caught up in my own life and trying to survive. The phone call that ensued was one that instantly helped decide which charity our money would go to and more.
Our ride is doing many things for many people...but, it will all be in HONOR of NICHOLAS JAMES.
Nicholas James is the son of my former teacher and close friend, Mr. James. The photo above of Nicholas in his karate outfit was taken years ago when I was in middle school or high school. Even though I saw Nick as her grew up...this photo is pretty much how I remember Nick.
During the past 12 years, I had heard that Nicholas was in a terrible accident and at one point was near death. I wasn't there for the James family. For some reason, my mind and heart simply couldn't face the fact to confront Mr. James because I feared the worst. It is a phone call which I will always regret not making...and not being there for the James family.
Nicholas and his friend were on their way to Little Rock, Arkansas on November 22, 1998 when a deer jumped in front of the vehicle. Just clippnig the left headlight, the car spun into a tree in the median of the highway. The impact on Nick's side of the car, he suffered a closed head injury with damage to the brain stem. His parents were told that, he would not live through the night.
When I spoke with Mr. James over the telephone and we attempted to begin to catch up...it came to the moment of the phone call which I dreaded, but knew that I needed to ask and feeling that the answer would confirm my biggest fear...that Nick had passed away.
Although he still requires assistance, Nick is now living in his own house, attending Central Baptist College in Conway Arkansas, and volunteering as a client in the therapy departments at the University of Central Arkansas.
United Cerebral Palsy took on Nick's case management years ago after insurance coverage stopped. They have been instrumental in helping Nicholas James live a "life without limits."
For this reason, 50% of the funds raised in "Boot, Scoot & Pedal: The Trail to Texas" will go to United Cerebral Palsy. The other 50% of the funds will go to building an endowed soccer scholarship.
The funds raised will be given to both the UCP and the Nicholas James Soccer Scholarship in HONOR of Nicholas James.
