| 5/8/2009 | Email this article • Print this article |
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| Ruth and Bill Johnson of Maplewood (circled or Ruth standing above Bill) host a farewell picnic for bicycle racers, neighbors and children. |
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| Bicycle racer Carmen Small poses with Anna and Lucia Johnson at the Stillwater race. |
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For bicycles and babies
A family member's long-awaited baby was born beautiful and perfect - on the outside. But the severe brain damage during birth was incompatible with life. After a period of time in Children's Hospital in St. Paul, the infant was sent home to die.
The parents' grief was unimaginable.
The Hospice and Pain & Palliative Care program at Children's Hospitals and Clinics stepped in to help. One of its nurse practitioners visited every day, including Christmas and New Year's.
She provided the gentlest of care for the baby and parents, explaining how to keep the baby comfortable and seizure-free with medication and how to love the baby with all their hearts for the time they had together. She helped prepare them for the baby's death.
The Hospice and Pain & Palliative Care program provides comfort and care for families with babies who don't have long to live. It's uncertain how the parents and our extended family would have coped without the nurse practitioner's calming visits.
The care was free but dependent on donations
"Pediatric hospice care is not reimbursed by insurance," said David LaPorte, executive director of the upcoming Minnesota Bike Festival and Nature Valley Grand Prix, which is donating all of its proceeds to the program at Children's Hospital.
"I'm comfortable that they're using our money for essential services," LaPorte said.
The Pain & Palliative Care unit has been beneficiary of the bike race and festival since 2003. Last year the program received $20,000 from corporate sponsorships and some personal donations.
Hosting racers
Now in its 11th year, the bike race will bring in about 300 elite bicycle racers - men's and women's teams - from around the country and abroad and thousands of spectators. Children's is a sponsor, and volunteers at every level put on the event.
Right now, volunteers are being sought to host the bicycle racers in their homes during the event.
Ruth Johnson of Maplewood, who heard about hosting racers through her job as a pharmacist at Children's, is one such volunteer. She and her family will be hosting bikers for the sixth year.
Ruth's husband, Bill, is a paramedic/firefighter captain with the St. Paul Fire Department Station No. 22. They have two children, Lucia, age 6, and Anna, age 8.
"We love to meet new people, build new friendships, support the riders in whatever way we can," Ruth said. "Bill is an avid fan, a cyclist, and a former amateur racer who last year did a 1,200 kilometer bicycle ride in Paris, so he enjoys talking with the riders about their racing, sharing stories and laughs. He often knows people they know.
"This year we will have riders who have all been with us before. Our two daughters gladly give up their rooms for the riders and love having them over. It's kind of crazy how attached they become after a week. The bikers, who often come from California and sometimes from Florida, Georgia, Colorado, Canada and even New Zealand, want to fit in and they'll play with the kids or take the dog for a walk.
"We've hosted men and women teams. They have all been incredibly gracious, polite, respectful, clean and neat. We've kept in touch with many of them, especially with e-mail and Facebook.
"I know some people might feel shy about opening their home to 'strangers,' but, it's a great feeling to share, and bring new and interesting people into your life," Ruth said.
Ready to race
The Nature Valley Grand Prix will take place June 10 to 14 and is one of the country's premiere racing events. It's the top-ranked women's professional cycling race and the No. 2-ranked men's pro race in the country.
The race begins with a time trial and a race in St. Paul, includes a race in Minneapolis. The final stage on June 14 is the Stillwater Criterium, an exciting race around sharp curves and steep hills, considered the most grueling trek in North American racing.
The festival offers kids' fun races that are free for kids ages 12 and under. All participants receive a medal. Also featured are food, musical entertainment, bike expos at each venue and stunt riders.
The Minnesota Bike Festival gives families an opportunity to have fun by hosting racers and attending a variety of bicycle events. At the same time, the festival raises money to support families with babies and children living with pain or soon to die.
For more information about the pain and palliative care program at Children's Hospitals, go to http://www.childrensmn.org/communities/hospice.asp.
For more information about volunteering and a detailed scheduled of events for the bike festival, go to www.minnbikefestival.com.
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