Across America by Bicycle

Dothan Mayor Mike Schmitz Declaring Amputees Across America Day

2011-07-13T06:35:00.000-04:00

Dothan Mayor Mike Schmitz presenting the AAA team with a proclamation declaring today is Amputees Across America Day. He also honored us by riding his bike into the facility with us.

Click here for more.

A Special Thank You To Mike Reith of St Pete Limb and Brace.

2011-07-10T21:12:00.002-04:00

Hi my friends,

It's Sunday afternoon and I'm resting in my hotel and I just took the pix you see below.

When a person begins a journey like this, they usually do the usual things; decide on clothing, helmet, gloves, bike shoes, etc. Next, the bicycle, seat, all related equipment in proper working order and all else related to the adventure.

But, when I started this trip there was another piece of equipment that must be carefully considered.

This vital device makes my odyssey possible. Without it's flawless performance things would come to a halt. Generally, you can repair your bike on the road but, not so easy with this. Here is something that must help propel without breaking, fit with comfort, and not create tenderness that quickly transforms to pain and having to cease motion. End of ride. You can imagine the number of revolutions it turns out on such a ride.

Having said all that, I must say with gratitude a special thank you to the man who's talent and hard work makes it possible: Mike Reith of St Pete Limb and Brace. A friend and my biggest helper in making it possible.

Thank you Mike.

Well it is TV time....Miss you all, Bill.

Amputees stop in Dothan on cross-country bike ride

2011-07-10T07:17:00.000-04:00

When Doc Milligan and Jeff Martin lost their legs, they didn’t lose their hope.

Now, they’re out to spread that hope to fellow amputees as part of Amputees Across America.

Along with three other amputees, Milligan and Martin began a cross-country bicycle ride on June 1 in Tustin, Calif., and stopped at HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital in Dothan on Friday morning en route to their final destination, Vero Beach, Fla., where they hope to arrive July 22.

Click here for more.

X-Country by Bicycle

2011-07-09T07:42:00.000-04:00

Hello y'all,

Got some new pix. Again, not just the road but, the people we spent time with in some HealthSouth rehab facilities.

We were in front of TV cameras for an interview, in Montgomery, AL with host Tonya Terry.

We spent the day with children as well as adults. The pictures speak for themselves

People are truly amazing.

Bill

A Beautiful Young Girl Named "Em"

2011-07-06T11:53:00.000-04:00

Hi everybody,

Hope you all enjoyed your July 4th Holiday. Haven't posted for awhile. Been spending more time with patients and am including a pix of a beautiful young girl named Em. Em had her leg amputated as a choice to correct a bigger problem that prevented her from enjoying her young life.

That choice was validated when she and her parents saw the ESPN article about my little friend Jake Bainter from Orlando, FL who made a similar choice. It's amazing how the world works to support other people from the loving and compassionate acts of others.

Included will be pix of the other side of this ride. I offer this as a balance so you may see what is being done.

As always my friends, I miss you.

Wishing you all a Happy 4th of July

2011-07-01T14:49:00.000-04:00

Here is a pix of a patient that got so motivated that he started walking and continues for over an hour until tired. He's had that leg (prosthetic) for over a year and never got out of his wheelchair. Now he won't sit down...isn't that great. That's a miracle.

We're in Montgomery this morning (AL) great place to ride. I can smell home and missing it more each day. Will be in GA. after the Holiday.

Will report again soon. Wishing you all a Happy 4th of July. Have a great day, and of course I MISS YOU ALL!

Cross-country bicyclists provide inspiration for fellow amputees during Alexandria visit

2011-06-28T21:28:00.000-04:00

Abel Cruz discovered Amputees Across America at precisely the right time.

The 60-year-old resident of Albuquerque, N.M., lost his left leg in August 2005, when he was injured in a motorcycle accident just east of Monroe. Cruz, who was riding to visit a friend near Hattiesburg, Miss., was hit by a wayward tractor-trailer tire. His left leg was crushed in the crash, fracturing in several places and unable to be saved.

Click here for more.

Boston Bill And Amputees Across America At HealthSouth, Alexandria LA

2011-06-28T18:48:00.000-04:00

Hello Boston Bill!

I’ve attached a story for you here…just follow the link and you should be good to go. Congratulations on such a wonderful program and all your success!! We’re cheering you on!

http://www.kalb.com/category/185185/video?clipId=5997246&autostart=true

Joy Howe
Anchor/Reporter
KALB-TV / NBC NALB-TV / CBS 2
Ch. 5 / Digital 5.1 Ch. 2 / Digital 5.2
318.445.2456 (station)
318.483.4232 (direct line)
318.442.7427 (fax)
email: jhowe@kalb.com
website: www.kalb.com
A Hoak Media Station

Cyclists Touring America Make Stop In Tyler

2011-06-25T18:08:00.000-04:00

Boston Bill Hansbury might be without a leg, but he is living an active lifestyle and using his cycling to encourage rehabilitation patients to do the same.

Hansbury, of St. Petersburg, Fla., lost his leg three and 1/2 years ago because of a staph infection. After losing his leg, the 73-year-old wanted to get back to cycling and running.

So he rode his bicycle in a local park, where he met a member of Amputees Across America — a group of amputees that makes a transcontinental bike ride and visits patients in hospitals to increase awareness of amputees.

Click here for more.

2011-06-15T13:08:00.001-04:00

Hi y'all,

Just going to post some random pix while I enjoy a day off. Most of them speak for themselves with ride itself and the rehab facilities and people recovering from many physical challenges.

Riding into the rehab facilities brings a very visible smile of appreciation to the faces of both staff and patients on what one can do and the hope to get back to a healthy life.

The feeling it brings to us, the riders, is difficult to capture in words. All of us agree, the hours we spend with patients, are more taxing than the ride itself, but the reward is greater than the miles we ride.

Enjoy the pix. I miss you all.

2011-06-14T06:48:00.000-04:00

This does not do justice to the long road that is ahead. It shows the beautiful loneliness in some areas of our Country.

On this road I get on my bike and with one push the wind accelerates me up to 31mph. I did not pedal once for at least 10 miles. It was great, fastest I have ridden in several years. I'll take it.

Today I'm in Colorado Springs, CO. A pretty little town ringed by enormous, snow capped Mts. Something we don't see in FL. The local bicycle club joined us as we rode into town and I went with them for a 15 mile tour of the town. Very nice. I asked about the length of their riding season and was surprised to find it lasted all year. The mountains protect them from heavy snows and what little they get melts quickly.

We spent the remaining hours at a HealthSouth facility working with amputees and other problems. Got a 19 yr old boy, double amputee, on abicycle for the first time and the smile of joy on his face would bring tears to your eyes. Great stuff !

Tomorrow we leave for TX and I'll report to you soon. I miss you all, you are a great group.........

What a beautiful country we live in.

2011-06-04T12:30:00.004-04:00

I wish you could all see the vastness of this great land. Riding thru the deserts, one can't help but think of the early settlers crossing such vast and seemingly barren flatness and then the mountains appear on the horizon.The size and shapes are amazing. As you are riding they appear so close, yet it takes most of the day to reach them. The blue sky reaches, to what seems, infinity.

And here we go!

2011-06-01T16:59:00.003-04:00

The official start from the Pacific Ocean in Huntington Beach. On to
the Arizona border.

Route 66

2011-06-01T06:46:00.000-04:00

Well, after flying and driving. I finally got the bicycle on the road and what a road. Probably one of our Counties oldest and very well known. Route 66.

One of the other riders from MO, name of Jeff joined me and we road thru the Mohave Desert for a few hours, on 66.

The beginning step of a successful journey.

2011-05-28T13:46:00.000-04:00

Mike Reith of St Pete Limb & Brace donates his time, making some minor adjustments to my leg. Stay tuned.

Introduction

2011-03-15T23:01:00.005-04:00

In this blog, I will be chronicling my trip across the country by bike as team member of Amputees Across America.

You may know me from Boston Bill Sunglasses or my Boston Bill Foundation.

You may have read about me in the Tampa Bay Times or People Magazine. Or maybe you saw me on ESPN: