Media Release
Contact: Dennis Mathis, Public Relations Coordinator, San Juan Regional Medical Center, 505-324-2238 or email dmathis@sjrmc.net
Amputees Across America Schedule Stop in Farmington
FARMINGTON, NM (May 29, 2007) Four men with extraordinary stories and one extraordinary mission will arrive in Farmington on Tuesday, June 12 at 3pm. The men comprise a group called Amputees Across America, and their mission is to raise money in support of amputees by bicycling 3500 miles across the country, visiting rehabilitation hospitals and amputee support groups along the way. The stop in Farmington will be to visit San Juan Regional Rehabilitation Hospital where they will tour the facility and talk to patients.
The four bicyclists are Farmington physician Dr. Clifford Clark, retired naval officer Abel Cruz, sports psychologist Beasey Hendrix, and retired Air Force Colonel Joe Sapere, founder of the organization. Dr. Clark lost his leg in 2005 due to complications of osteomylitis. He lived and practiced medicine in Farmington from 1980 to July 1996 when he suffered a slight stroke. An avid bicyclist most of his life, he still rides the trails a couple of times a month.
The bicycle journey, with stops for skydiving, started on May 28th in Tustin, California, and is scheduled to end on July 25th at Vero Beach, Florida. The riders will cross the Mojave Desert and then swing north through Albuquerque before arriving in Farmington. From Farmington, they will zig zag across the country with their message of support to amputees in rehabilitation facilities. One skydiving stop is planned near the end of the trek in Tallahassee, Florida.
The stated goal of the four men is to increase "public awareness of amputees as active participants in high-intensity activities, such as bicycling and skydiving."
