A smile can start a friendship. A word can end an argument. A look can save a relationship. But a motorcycle can change your life.
Late one morning, my staff forwarded me a message from our appointment center. When I read it, I felt good inside.
I’m sure this was the first time a hospital appointments department had to deal with a request of this kind. A man claiming to be a biker wanted to talk to me about this hobby.
I was curious to know who this restless soul was. When I contacted him, I discovered that he was the son of a woman I had operated on eight years ago. She was doing well and had excellent vision.
At the time, he was surprised to see me come into the ambulance in my motorcycle gear. During the follow-up visits that followed, he not only wanted to know how his mother was doing, but also asked questions about my motorcycle, my motorcycle gear, and my training and off-road riding.
This interaction in 2016 gave him the courage and the impetus to buy a similar motorcycle two years ago – the BMW GS Adventure 1200.
I am an influencer!
When I asked him how I could help him, he said that he used to read the reports of my Dhabha Ride Club members at 5 am.
He was surprised that there were no articles after December 2023. I told him about my high-speed accident in November 2023, the injury, the surgery and the total loss of my bike. He was stunned and apologized.
I had to reassure him that I was healthy again, was about to get a new bike and would soon start riding again.
When I asked him how I could help him, he said that the bike had changed his attitude and habits.
His problem was that his riding buddies weren’t riding enough. I came to his mind, a little depressed. He wanted to join in on the 5am rides.
He apologized for contacting me through the call center. We ended the conversation with my promise to include him in the trips as soon as I was back.
The feeling when driving is incomparable. You feel free and unstoppable. Driving is passion, joy, stress relief and a lucky charm.
It’s a way of life. I think he experienced that.
I forwarded the call center message to the person in charge of my outpatient clinic. She wanted to know if I would agree to receive it. I answered her with a resounding yes.
The quote of the day that I posted was, “Strive to reach a level where you can help others without hesitation.”
For me it was about helping another person when he needed help. Even though it wasn’t medical, it was still therapeutic for the man.
I guess the thought of joining the 5am club for 500km sunrise breakfast rides was euphoric.
Healing is not always about prescribing medications or performing surgeries, but rather about making connections and building trust and communication.
A good friend knows your best stories, but a biker friend experienced them with you.
“Wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is also love for humanity.” – Hippocrates
