“I’m the luckiest girl in the world because I’m your sister, John…I’m a better person because you love me. You’re the wind beneath my wings…and the wheels beneath my butt.”
– Lauren Byrne

Thanks to all of you, we were able to purchase a vehicle for Lauren in December 2012!  

Click here for pictures of her in her new vehicle and the story of her surprise Christmas gift last year!

The Ride was created by John, Lauren’s brother, who wanted to help his sister obtain her goal of independence.  Lauren is a 23 year old quadriplegic, the result of an accident in 2005.  She has been unable to walk without assistance and has relied on family and friends to drive her to where she needs to be – even with public transportation, she still had to rely on someone to get her to the bus or train station.  With the cost of a vehicle for Lauren running into the $50,000 range, John realized he could raise funds to help out by exercising one of his talents – cycling.  John rode his bike from California to New York in September 2012, with the support of his family, friends and community.  We raised over $77,000, thanks to people like you.

Donations for Lauren’s Ride were designated toward purchasing and maintaining an adapted vehicle, as well as covering the costs of the ride itself.  Donations above and beyond those used for those purposes will be distributed and/or utilized by charities associated with the San Luis Obispo Firefighters Benevolent Association, the non-profit organization that sponsored the ride.  Please click on the links above to find out more about Lauren, John, and the trip he took to help his sister.  You can also follow along with media coverage and view John’s blog – he videotaped blogs each morning and evening!