Hello (new) World!

The reason the boy’s rapid decent was of such interest to me was because he seemed to be so free and mobile on his scooter and I had pretty much been confined to walking the dogs around a 3-mile radius of my daughter’s home for the previous 16 months.

I hadn’t always been so limited in my travels. Since 2007 I had been around the world nearly three times working and volunteering in various capacities. Prior to 2020 — the year COVID began —  I had been teaching and consulting in China for nearly seven years. I returned to the USA in December of 2019 to wish my eldest daughter a Happy Birthday, to visit the dentist, and to replenish a few necessary personal items. Four days before my flight was scheduled to take me back to China, the world closed down. Two months later, my personal world shut down also.

After international travel became impossible, it looked like it might be a perfect opportunity to help my daughter and her husband with some home improvement plans they had; however, after some heavy drywall work, my back had other plans.

It wasn’t long before I couldn’t work, couldn’t sleep, couldn’t drive, couldn’t ride my bicycle, and couldn’t sit still anywhere for more than a few minutes at a time. As it turned out, I couldn’t even get my dental work done because the dentist said I had developed high blood pressure!

I also developed severe swelling in my arms and legs. That’s when I decided to see a doctor. She gave me pills to lower the blood pressure and I went back to the dentist for several fillings.

The swelling persisted, so the first doctor sent me to a second doctor.  He gave me a different prescription for HBP with a diuretic and the swelling went away. My daughter’s chiropractor tried a few treatments to correct the back problem so I could hopefully sleep a little. It worked some, but not much. A new bed and some personal fitness equipment helped more, but overall, it was a VERY painful 6 to 9 months adjusting to my New World as an invalid. BUT I COULD STILL WALK and I think the dogs, Cabo and Bear, appreciated our limited outings as much as I.

The three of us took to walking 100-plus miles per month. It was during one of our forays that we noticed the boy and his scooter coming down the hill. The dogs watched out of curiosity. I gazed intently, first out of envy, then with heightened imagination pondering the possibilities.

In late July, 2021, at age 61, I ordered my very first electric scooter. By the first week in August, my New World became nearly 10 times larger.

On October 6th, 2021, my Kaabo King GT arrived  and my hopes soared for a renewed lease on life and a future of real mobility.

Now it’s March, 2022. I’m a year older and walking a little less than 100-miles per-month, but scooting around much more! And, God willing, in about 6 weeks I will embark on a once-in-a-lifetime, 20,000-mile journey covering three continents in two hemispheres.

Others have traversed similar routes via car, motorcycle, bicycle and even by horseback, but no one has yet attempted the feat using a single, stand-up electric scooter. I’m preparing to be the first.

The world has definitely become a much different place than it was just a few years ago. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. I, for one, am thankful for the opportunities that have come along with the challenges. It IS a New World for ALL of us. I’m looking forward to making the most of it.

Who knows, one day when I come flying down a hill on my King-sized scooter pulling a fully loaded trailer perhaps some young person will look up, smile and be inspired to think bigger, imagine more, and be thankful for the world of opportunities that awaits him or her.

If your world could use a boost of inspired imagination, consider joining us in this one-of-a-kind adventure.

Look for us (eventually) on YouTube and Patreon and imagine the possibilities that await you in your new world!