Dear United Sidecar Association,
My name is Melissa McLeod, daughter of a retied Navy Senior Chief, who served 24 years active duty, currently a TV producer based out of Los Angeles. I am writing today seeking advice/help.
A few weeks ago, while filming an episode of my TV series (Ghost Asylum – Destination America) in Pennsylvania, I met an 80-year-old, mental patient (Norman), who was left on the doorsteps of an insane asylum when he was just a baby. I later learned he spent 30 years in this abusive clinic until the facility was shut down and he was sent to live in an out patient care facility.
At my first meeting with Norman, I noticed he was wearing unusual jewelry and clothing. Upon closer look, what I saw was Norman was covered in head to toe with Harley Davidson merchandise. Soon after he told me he has never been on a motorcycle and his last wish in life is to take a motorcycle sidecar ride. I want to help make his dream come true!
Norman lives near Spring City, PA and is in a wheel chair so the only way for this to happen is for him to ride in a sidecar. I am writing you today for guidance on how to make this mans last wish come true! Do you recommend I reach out to a sidecar association in that city? Any help is much appreciated!
Thank you for your time and consideration!
Best,
Melissa McLeod
323-873-4322
Since no replies to date, I can only offer up a few suggestions. Not sure how you accomplish this from a distance away like L.A.. Regardless, I would first see if there was a Ural dealer near his location. Thru that dealer you could probably locate someone willing to take the guy for a ride.
Another possibility would be a local Harley dealer, as HD made sidecars up until 2004 I believe so most dealers would know who the sidecar guys are.
Last possibility with dealers would be a BMW dealer as many riders with modern BMWs also own vintage bikes and often sidecar rigs.
I think these three options would be easier to locate from afar than a local sidecar club.
All that said, I think the biggest hurdle is the fact that he is a mental patient. Someone who is physically disabled going for a ride is one thing. But a person who has mental illness would be a red flag because of the unknown. Now, he might be the sweetest guy in the world. But if you put him in a sidecar, he could freak out. I saw this happen with a young man with Down's syndrome. His name was Danny. He was a truly a sweet guy. He was in his early 40's but mentally about 12. We took him out in my friend's bass boat who also happened to be his neighbor. They lived on the river. He trusted both of us and was thrilled to go out in the boat. John's boat was a rocket and he figured that the Danny would love to go fast since he lived with his Grandmother and there were zero thrills in his life. As soon as the boat sped up, Danny freaked out. We had to just about stop, calm him down and crawl back to the dock. Danny got over it, but it took a lot of coaxing before he would get back in the boat and he told us how fast to go. So, you put someone in a sidecar that has never been in one before and has mental issues, it could end with disasterous results. If you did get someone to do this for you, I think a ride around the parking lot would be a better choice.
You are good person to be doing this. Unfortunately, you have to put your heart aside sometimes and be clinical in your analysis of what you are doing.
Good luck however it turns out.
regards,
Rob
Melissa,
This has been posted on FB on a few SC threads. My hope is that someone close to you can get there and fulfill his wish. If there isn't a closer person who can step up I'd be willing to try and make the trip up and do it. I live in TN and it would have to be in mid-late August for me to fit it in time wise. I have friends and family in the area, so it's just a matter of scheduling.
You're welcome to message me particulars. Also, if that doesn't work it might help if you have a time frame/time table if it needs to happen sooner should others be interested in doing. I will follow the thread.
Dan Garner
615-681-7742
pgdvg@yahoo.com
At a brain disabled residence near Celle Northgermany we used to meet twice a year with about 100 bikes and 25 rigs early summer and deep winter 20-30 rigs.
Those were THE events of the year for the kids and not so kids. In a critical case have a nurse of confidence on the back seat (or in the double seat sidecar)and you keep easily things under control.
Been there done that and only a lawyer would think bad.
Best gift to give is to fulfil a wish like the mentioned one.
What is the best present?
What you would love to receive yourself.
The day I'll have to go, I hope I'll be able to go with my boots on, just like my father in law.
My 2 cent.
Sven
I am in Akron Ohio,..... Looks like it would be an all day ride on a ural to get there..... Can he ge tout of the wheel chair and get in a side car himself? Claude Stanley (Claude Stanley Motorsports) isn't to far from them....
Chris
Dear USCA, today marks the anniversary of my brother passing away on motorcycle. The horrific accident devastated my family and it has taken years to recover, but we are stronger than ever!!
I would like to start by apologizing for the very late response to this thread. A few months back when I initially put out this request, I was promise by a local motorcycle group in PA that this wish would be granted. I then went on the road traveling with a TV series and just recently found out the biker never followed through with his promise and I am deviated! I am back online determined to make this gentleman's dying wish come true!
If there is anyone in this organization or friends of this organization who can help me fulfill this wish, please contact me.
I am truly blessed with an incredible life and my daily goal is to make others lives just as blessed.
My contact information: MELISSAMCLEOD@ME.COM Cell: 323-873-4322
Thank you very much for allowing me to be a part of this forum!
Try this
Post on FaceBook here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/sidecarheaven/
We are in Pa and would certainly be honored to try and make this happen. Call the shop at 570 837 5120 Claude Stanley .... Freedom Sidecars.com ....also feel free to post on our facebook page.
Appears that Spring City is about 2 1/2 hours from us. We are in Middleburg which is about 50 miles north of Harrisburg,Pa.
This is amazing! I will call the shop tomorrow to discuss! THANK YOU! Have a blessed day!
I know Melissa is a very busy person so I hope I am not out of line posting this. We did communicate and the plan is that ,she, or Norman's caretaker, will be back in touch to make a date so Norman can have his wish for a sidecar ride become a reality. Cold weather, and all that can go along with it, is coming upon us here in Central Pa. but Melissa said she didnt think that was really an issue with Norman. So we will see how this pans out and will report back here. Thanks for the call Melissa. Also thanks go to Al Olme for calling me about this situation as I was not aware of it. Hang in there Norman it's going to happen!
I passed this on to Horroguy who is just outside of Philly
It is a pretty cool thing if you ever get a chance to do something like this.
Sorry if you have a slow connection as this is a large file for the video.
Giving someone like that a ride is the most uplifting thing you can ever do. Avanell has a nephew with downs syndrome. Giving him a ride in my sidecar and watching his face when we drove around the local ice cream shop so all his buddies could seem him was amazing. If you ever get a chance to do it,jump at it.
J.R.
Sec.
Tex Rep.
Did Norman's ride ever take place? If not, I will be in Pa. in a couple of weeks and would be glad to see what I can do to help. Will be in Middleburg Pa.
