I'm trying to spread the word for a friend, and just found out about this site through cyclingnews.com.
"I've been a professional Cat-4 racer since 1984, now doing some masters, and have been an official for several seasons. The last few years have seen me divorced and change jobs a couple times, so the racing and officiating have gone by the wayside. Cycling has kept me sane.
20+ years ago I was diagnosed with major depression, which has affected my being able to do many of the things I have wanted to in my life. Cycling has been one of the stabilizing factors in my life, along with my daughter. Cycling alone helped me lose 140lbs over the last 14mos. I am divorced. I have been hospitalized at least 5 times over the last 12 months, and was on the verge of being admitted to a 24-hour care facility when my new meds started to kick in properly.
Friday, I was released from the hospital, and went for a ride on Sunday, the first in probably 2 months. I was just over 1/2 hour into a 90 minute ride when I was attacked by 3 guys who just pushed me over, kicked me in the back a couple times and took my bike.
I filed the appropriate police reports, and thankfully checked out okay at the hospital, but don't know how I am going to replace my bike. I have not been able to work steadily, tomorrow I have an appointment for State public assistance and food stamps, and Thursday, I have an appointment regarding disability income with the Federal Government.
If anyone can help me with my Quattro Assi Attack 57cm, with Cinelli Ram bars, Flite Genuine Gel Saddle, Rival gruppo, Ultegra and Velocity Deep V Rims, Time RXS Pedals, and a Polar CS600, I would appreciate it. This took place just north of Chicago, IL.
I'll try to give out more information if necessary. I need to do something before I wind up back in the hospital for lack of a good outlet for my disability.
Thanks everybody. I don't know where else to turn to. "
(originally posted at
http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showthread.php?t=3096)
Just to let you know, Andy is a former teammate, but more importantly a friend. He has been on medication for over 20 years, and has worked consistently with a therapist for about the same amount of time. The only consistent calming therapy for him has been the bike. Never the best, but never giving up.
I remember the days when he was successful. Back then, week in and week out, he always brought stuff to races or group rides to help others fuel up, his trunk was never without a cooler of energy drinks, and a couple boxes of bars for his teammates.
When he was officiating, he was the official who all the riders approached with questions about results knowing he would listen to protests, but would always be fair with the answers. Nobody argued with him, he commanded respect.
While he is getting ready for his meetings with the government offices and spending as much time as possible, I am talking with some of his co-workers and former teammates to see if we can raise a bit of cash to get a decent bike, you can see he doesn't have extravagant taste in equipment, and help him out with rent and child support.
I don't know if anyone here is interested in helping him out, but, if you are, let me know. I'm going to be creating a paypal account to help him out and see how much I can raise to help get him off the bottom.
The account is:anmar613@hotmail.com
Thanks for your concerns,
Mark Andrews.
