April 21, 2008
Up at 6:30 am and getting ready to go! We met Lesley and Dee from Translife outside of Pine Castle Christian Academy and discussed what was going to take place when the program begins.  The had the 6 - 12 grades assembled in the gym with the cheerleaders and school band. They had us take the quads in the hallway outside the gym and after an introduction we started the quads and entered the gym to the chorus of cheers from the students! At this point I should tell you about 10 year old Jake. He has quite the story to tell and will be better served when I get the written document from his family.  I'll post it on the web site with more pictures! Briefly, he was injured in a home accident and needed to have a bone and tissue graft. However, he eventually had his leg amputated below the knee. He is special boy and quickly won everyone's hearts - he immediately took to the quads of course and he rode into the gym with us! We almost had to take him with us on our trip as he was definitely glued to the seat, but alas, the parents (Jody and Brett) won out. We had a short program inside the gym where Lesley from TransLife spoke who introduced me. After my short comments Brian Hinsley spoke and we found out afterwards that the anatomy teacher shows in "No Greater Love" PBS video to her classes to explain transplantation. Outside the students came up to him and said "Hey, I know you! You're the firefighter in that video!"
After Brian spoke, Jakes mom got up and expressed her feelings about tissue donation and the benefits it gave her son before having his leg amputated. This is a very special family and we'll speak more on that later.
 After the pep rally in the gym we went outside to the field and the students (fitted with TransLife green t-shirts) formed the Donate Life Green Ribbon. 350 students stood at attention and then a helicopter came by circling the field while taking pictures of the ribbon. The pilot did a little barn storming before leaving and then it was time to send us off.  The Chaplin gave a blessing and then Jake cut the green ribbon for us to drive through and start our trip! What a day, what a great group of people! We ended the morning having lunch with Summer and Lesley and left at about 1:30 pm for Tallahassee.
We arrived here in Tallahassee at 7:00 pm after a beautiful ride through the lush vegetation through central and northern Florida. One story I will relate is this: At a fuel stop Greg asked us if there was anything missing from the SUV that was pulling the trailer. Brian (Doc) stated it was the two window flags. Greg then related the story that Jon (his son) had a gastronomic event with dire consequences which quickly soured the interior of the vehicle they were riding in. Greg, who was driving, was desperate to alleviate the stressful interior conditions rather quickly started pushing all the buttons on the door panel only to find the two holding the window flags in place. Down came the window and away went the flags. Oh well!
Starting coordinates: N 30.444100 W 84.282990
Ending coordinates: N 28.472860 W 81.366040
We'll add the mileage and fuel next time. It was a bit hectic today...
Thanks to Lesley, Summer, Dee and Martha for a great time in Orlando. You are the Bomb(s)!
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