SEPHARDIC COMMUNITY CYCLISTS RAISE MONEY FOR ISRAELI AMPUTEES
Aura Lagnado
It’s been a while now, but somewhere in my cycling journey I grew a soft spot in my heart for amputees. Maybe it was the fact that I met a few amputee cyclists riding strong and inspiring me to go further, push stronger, ride faster, and give it my all.
At first they were just like all the other cyclists, enjoying life while riding around in circles in Prospect Park, but as cycling became a bigger part of my life, and I was spending more and more time on my bike in the park, I got to know a few of these amputee cyclists. I began to ride with them and open up conversations with them. I got close enough to a few of them to feel comfortable asking about the stories behind their missing limbs. A strong connection formed for me. I started reading up about amputations and the life, struggles, and phantom pain with which they suffer.
I am not exactly sure how and when I heard about The Next Ride (TNR). But when I did I had this strong desire, want, and need to be part of it.
The Next Ride is a subdivision of an Israeli non-profit organization called The Next Step. The Next Step is more than just any non-profit, it is community, it is family, it is the force that gives strength to amputees. It gives them the strength to stand tall, stand straight, and stand with pride. It gives them the strength to take their Next Step—to move forward and journey through life with a smile on their faces knowing they can do anything they ever dreamt of.
November 2020, due to covid and the changes that came with it, I was not going into work as often as I would normally, and so when someone posted on a WhatsApp group chat that there were six openings for TNR, I saw it as my chance—one that may not come again if I didn’t jump on it. So, needless to say, I signed up. It was just two and a half weeks before the ride through the Dubai deserts with a dozen or more amputees.
During the short time I spent with the TNR family, I got to know a number of the amputees that benefit from The Next Step. On bus rides, we discussed their challenges of adapting to a new life, the stories behind their amputations, the downs, the ups, and how grateful they are for the Next Step, and their American family, who are there to help them through it all.
To me, this trip was very much about the amputees. I tried to spend as much time as possible with them, with their doctor, and with their families, getting to know as much as I could about them. It is amazing to see how happy they are on a daily basis—how they see the good in everything around them. But then when they speak of their stories, the sadness, the hard times, the feelings of depression that they fight off, it’s all so real, it’s a harsh reminder of why we do this, of why we ride, of why The Next Ride came about.
As one young woman told the story of her depression, of her three attempts at suicide, her doctor sat quietly listening to her speak, tearing up while reliving it all with her. I tried to be strong, holding the tears at bay, but hearing her speak her story, seeing her doctor start crying, and understanding the difficulties these amazing people overcome, it was too emotional to hold back my tears.
One amputee said it took him three years to find himself and come out of his depressed state. For him, it was sports, cycling, adventures and thrills which reminded him of the life he loved and can still live.
On the outside we see these amputees smiling, we see them running, jumping, cycling and living a life just like any other, but like everything, there is a story, a journey, and a community of great people to help each and every one of them get to that place of happiness and pride, the place we see them in today.
When I signed up in 2020, I thought it would be a one time shot for me. I would do my part, contribute, raise money for a cause I hold dear, ride, and check it off my bucket list. However, the strong connections that were formed over the week had me coming back for more. As tough as it was for me to raise the funds, missing every fundraising deadline, I refused to back-down and quit, I had to go back, I had to see these special souls, and so, I joined 30+ Syrian Sephardic community members and took a flight out to Morocco to do it all again this year! To ride with the TNR family and strengthen the bonds created! Whenever there is a genuine need for help you will find the Syrian Sephardic community taking part.
This year, right before Shabbat, TNR heard of a special case that was considered hopeless. After many calls and research, they found a glimpse of hope. A glimpse of hope that came with enormous costs. At our Shabbat lunch in Morocco, it was the Sephardic community that jumped into action and started collecting money for this case, collecting money as they would do for an aliya in shul. I cannot say how much was collected, but it was heart warming to see the goodness of our community in action, at a spontaneous moment.
A month ago, I would have said TNR 2021 is my final year, but once again, after spending the week with this special community and family that has been formed, I find myself thinking of ways to go back, ways to help these individuals, ways to bring their dreams to life! TNR 2022—let’s do this—bigger and better! All the money we raise is going to a great cause!
Aura Lagnado earned a Master of Science in Oriental Medicine, specializing in acupuncture and herbs. She achieved the Valedictorian Award in 2018 when she graduated Pacific College while also working full-time. Aura flew to Taiwan to learn and intern under the doctors in the China Medical University of Taichung, right after graduating with her Master’s degree. Upon returning to the States she took no time before starting her Doctorate program at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. She is currently a Doctor of Oriental Medicine and a NYS licensed acupuncturist.
