(E-bikes will help recalibrated veterans live life off the sidelines)
ROME, MAINE – The gift of movement has been given to the Travis Mills Foundation through the teamwork of Dr. Gregory Maassen, founder of www.ebikelovers.com, Kerri Kauffman, vice president of marketing at Juiced Bikes and Heather Mason, president of National Bicycle Dealers Association.
Ten e-bikes from Juiced were delivered to the Foundation this summer and assembled on-site for the use of Veterans Retreat participants and their families.
These electric bikes allow our participants that might not otherwise be physically able to ride an upright, two-wheel bike, to get out there and ride,” said Travis Mills Foundation Chief Operating Officer Kelly Roseberry. “They provide an opportunity for or participants to get out and do something physically challenging, together as a family. These are activities that may seem common to most people, but for someone missing a lower limb, it might be impossible without the power assist these bikes provide. We have been lucky enough to witness firsthand how much joy these bikes can provide.”
The Travis Mills Foundation supports recalibrated veterans and their families through various programs at its Retreat nestled in the Belgrade Lakes Region of Maine that help these heroic men and women overcome physical and emotional obstacles, strengthen their families and provide well-deserved rest and relaxation.
The organization’s founder, U.S. Army SSG (Ret.) Travis Mills, coined the term “recalibrated veteran” after he lost portions of all of his limbs in an IED explosion during his third tour in Afghanistan in 2012. He didn’t want to refer to himself as a wounded warrior – his wounds had healed. He had to reexamine his life and correct it in accordance with his new way of life and purpose.
Maassen, of www.ebikelovers.com, the country’s leading e-bike community organization, assembled the Juiced e-bikes himself on location at the Retreat.
"E-Bikes are an outstanding mobility solution for millions of riders around the world. For this program, we wanted to provide reliable, safe and versatile bikes that are also incredibly fun to ride," Maassen said. "Juiced Bikes is a trusted U.S.-based brand that clearly meets all of these requirements."
Maassen watched as recalibrated veterans and their families biked on asphalt and gravel with ease.
“I saw many smiles today,” he said. “We cannot thank Juiced enough for this donation.”
Kerri Kauffman of Juiced Bikes said the organization was eager to support our nation’s recalibrated veterans.
'We feel extremely honored to support the Travis Mills Foundation,” she said. “Their efforts to support America's heroes with extremely valuable recalibration services are an inspiration to the entire Juiced Bikes team and align with our company's own mission of creating mobility solutions designed to empower riders and amplify individual potential."
Heather Mason, president of the National Bicycle Dealers Association (NBDA) was humbled to help facilitate the connection between Juiced Bikes and the Foundation, through the assistance of colleague Jay Townley of Human Powered Solutions.
“The National Bicycle Dealers Association was thrilled to provide a connection between Juiced Bikes and the Travis Mills Foundation. It gives us great pleasure to see the industry continue to support each other and the opportunity that e bikes can provide,” Mason said.
The National Bicycle Dealers Association (NBDA) is the bicycle industry retailer association formed in 1946, representing and empowering specialty bicycle dealers in the United States through education, communications, research, advocacy, member discount programs, and promotional opportunities.
The weekend the bikes were assembled at the Foundation, Roseberry and her family went for a test ride.
“My husband is an amputee and recalibrated veteran who works for the Foundation as well and we haven’t been on a family bike ride since our 2-year-old daughter was born,” Roseberry said. “It was an absolute game changer.”
