It's true we all get a bad rap as bikers. We're all thrown in the same category; bad news, killers, mean and unpleasant to be around. But for those that have spent time with us, they know it is far from the truth.
As bikers many of us spend our summer weekends participating in charity events and going on benefit rides. We give our time and money to those who are in need, never asking for anything in return.
As bikers many of us spend our summer weekends participating in charity events and going on benefit rides. We give our time and money to those who are in need, never asking for anything in return.
Let's face it, we bikers have a risky hobby. Many motorcyclists are killed each year, maybe that's the thrill of riding motorcycles. I do think that those of us that do ride have the opinion that when your time is up, it's up.
So we continue to give to charities and participate in benefits till God takes us home to that biker rally in the sky. But why stop giving then? Below is a story of a man who was saved because of the generosity of a tissue donor,,, a son, a brother, a friend, a biker.
We can't bring Bob back, but he lives on in others.
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New life: Liver transplant from unlikely source saves Allegan man
By Tim Keith
Staff Writer
By Tim Keith
Staff Writer
Thursday, November 4, 2010 10:59 AM EDT
Barb Garlock displays a photo of her late brother, Bob Wright, whose liver helped save the life of Tom Lindsley (left). (Photo by Tim Keith)
When Tom Lindsley sits in Barb Garlock’s chair for a haircut, a very special family reunion takes place.
Inside Lindsley, 56, is the liver of his long time hair stylist’s deceased brother, Bob Wright.
Lindsley received the liver after Wright died as the re-sult of a June 9 motorcycle accident in Holland.
Lindsley had been on the transplant list since 2006 when he had developed cir-rhosis of the liver as a com-plication of Hepatitis C.
A retired Army sergeant, he contracted the disease at some point during his 22-year military career, possibly when he received a blood transfusion for a duty related injury in 1979.
Unbeknownst to Lindsley, his condition had deterio-rated enough that he would probably not have lived to see this Thanksgiving.
Inside Lindsley, 56, is the liver of his long time hair stylist’s deceased brother, Bob Wright.
Lindsley received the liver after Wright died as the re-sult of a June 9 motorcycle accident in Holland.
Lindsley had been on the transplant list since 2006 when he had developed cir-rhosis of the liver as a com-plication of Hepatitis C.
A retired Army sergeant, he contracted the disease at some point during his 22-year military career, possibly when he received a blood transfusion for a duty related injury in 1979.
Unbeknownst to Lindsley, his condition had deterio-rated enough that he would probably not have lived to see this Thanksgiving.
A missed friendship
Though they did not know each other in life, Lindsley and Wright had many things in common.
They shared a hair stylist, Garlock.
Lindsley lives within 100 yards of, and worked next door to, the salon where she cut hair.
Wright would endure the harassment of friends and make a 20-mile trip, often on his motorcycle, to get his hair cut by his younger sister.
Like Lindsley, Wright was also an outdoorsman with a passion for hunting and fishing.
Though they did not know each other in life, Lindsley and Wright had many things in common.
They shared a hair stylist, Garlock.
Lindsley lives within 100 yards of, and worked next door to, the salon where she cut hair.
Wright would endure the harassment of friends and make a 20-mile trip, often on his motorcycle, to get his hair cut by his younger sister.
Like Lindsley, Wright was also an outdoorsman with a passion for hunting and fishing.
“If it moved, he shot it; if it bit a hook, he’d catch it,” Garlock said.
Lindsley wonders what it may have been like if they had developed a relationship during Wright’s lifetime.
“We just missed being really good friends by a little bit of coincidence,” he said.
Helping once more
Around 5 p.m. June 9, Wright was on his way to Casey’s, a restaurant in Hol-land, to meet some friends. He had already picked up one of them on his motorcy-cle.
When a driver turned in front of him on 136th Ave-nue in Holland, he had little time to react; both Wright and his passenger were thrown from the bike.
Wright was taken to a hos-pital in Grand Rapids in a coma; he would never wake up.
By the next morning it be-came clear that Wright would not survive, Garlock said.
Lindsley wonders what it may have been like if they had developed a relationship during Wright’s lifetime.
“We just missed being really good friends by a little bit of coincidence,” he said.
Helping once more
Around 5 p.m. June 9, Wright was on his way to Casey’s, a restaurant in Hol-land, to meet some friends. He had already picked up one of them on his motorcy-cle.
When a driver turned in front of him on 136th Ave-nue in Holland, he had little time to react; both Wright and his passenger were thrown from the bike.
Wright was taken to a hos-pital in Grand Rapids in a coma; he would never wake up.
By the next morning it be-came clear that Wright would not survive, Garlock said.
For Garlock it’s a comfort knowing that her brother’s organ helped to save her friend.
“My brother’s not gone; he lives on,” she said. “If I need a big brother hug, I come see Tom.”
“My brother’s not gone; he lives on,” she said. “If I need a big brother hug, I come see Tom.”
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