Riding For Life

By Buddy Pendergast, son of PALS
Junior at Miller Place HS

Their wheelchairs, are their chariots,
Their once running legs now
their rolling wheels,
Each from a life of their own,
Brought together from a common bond:
A brotherhood,
They are riding for their lives.

Once hikers, runners, climbers, athletes,
Now their life has taken a turn,
Not by choice: their bodies rapidly changing.

Willing to fight, to make a difference,
They now ride their chariots,
They are riding for their lives.

So, instead of reaching for the next rock,
taking the next stride,
hitting the next golf ball,
They struggled with weakened fingers,
Holding the toggle control forward,
never looking back.
Heads up, smiles wide,
They are riding for their lives.

They will continue fighting,
until there is no fight left,
For themselves and for others
that can no longer fight,
They will keep smiling and keep riding,
For one day this battle will be won.