Jun 10
6
Family Inc.
Before Joseph arrived into our lives, Colette and I used to spend most of our lives riding our bikes together. So much so in fact, that Colette got rather good at it and competed internationally, including the Cycling World Championships in 2003 and 2004. It was because of cycling that we fell in love with France and ended up moving here in 2004.
Cycling was a big part of our lives.
If it wasn’t for Joseph’s horrendous illness we would now be enjoying watching him take his first wobbly pedal strokes on his own little bike, and perhaps even doing our first family bike ride together (although Joseph would be a bit young for the big Tour de France mountain climbs!). Joseph would also be starting school and this would have given myself and Colette much more time together to go cycling just like we used to.
Sadly, due to leukodystrophy, it is highly unlikely that Joseph will ever pedal a bike stroke and we will just have to quietly watch our friends’ and neighbours’ children make their first brave pedal strokes. We just want to be a normal family.
Well, the good news is that this weekend we took a big step towards normality. We bought a new bike chariot in which we can carry Joseph and go for rides together… as a family! Freedom and unity at last!
To celebrate we went for a bike ride and a picnic in the lovely summer sunshine. It was a classic French scene that we have always dreamed of: a family sitting in a walnut orchard surrounded by their bikes and pretty countryside. The only thing missing was a bottle of wine. Next time!
We’re now looking forward to some exciting adventures together, perhaps even a camping trip! The sort of things other families do.
