This year marks the fifth year of the Stephanie Jallen Paralympic Fund’s annual motorcycle run and picnic. I have been lucky enough to have covered this event for four of those years and have made some amazing friends along the way. Stephanie is, without a doubt, my all-time favorite superhero. She does indeed leap tall buildings in a single bound. This young superwoman has grown up before our very eyes and is now heading off to her dream. A dream every biker who has ridden in these runs has helped her to achieve.
Wherever Stephanie goes, she leaves in her wake a crowd of amazed people who come to love her for her spirit, her unwillingness to quit and her can-do attitude. Her smile dazzles all those who come in contact with her and she has inspired many who have similar handicaps to succeed.
One biker was so taken with Stephanie and her quest for gold that he painted her motto on his bike. This way everyone that ever rides behind him can see the logo and the motto that has driven Stephanie to victory. The logo shows a young girl flying down the slope and says, “Believe in yourself” and “Determination.” Stephanie’s personal motto, which can be found on her website and on the bike paint job is, “It’s not can or can’t, it’s do or don’t.” This young girl sure does! In spades.
Stephanie has been working since she was 9 years old to become a part of the U.S. Ski team and win Paralympic gold. And believe me, I know how hard she works and trains all year long to keep this dream alive. Last year, I did a story on Stephanie and her trainer, Ernie Baul from Danko’s American Fitness Gym in Plains Twp. I watched as Stephanie jumped on a BOSU ball and balanced kettle weights, then flew across the gym floor hopping through ladder rungs. She is as tireless as she is fearless.
Her online blog tells about her excitement at receiving the phone call that notified her that she was finally part of the team. It reads: “The U.S. Ski team consists of three teams A, B, and C. The A and B teams are athletes that have points low enough to be world cup qualified racers. The C team is the development team. I am on the B team. Which means I will now travel with the best racers in the country with the best coaches. I will travel across the world with them now. I have been training and hoping for the last six years to become a part of this team to represent the United States of America in World Cups and the Paralympics.” Congratulations, Steph, you did it!
Dreams really do come true, especially if you are willing to work hard, sacrifice a lot and never, ever say “can’t.”
This year’s rain-or-shine ride takes place Sunday, July 10. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. at Diamond Manufacturing (243 W. 8th St., Wyoming). The cost is $15 for riders and $10 for passengers, which includes a meal ticket for each. The ride ends at the Holy Child Fairgrounds (Newport Street in Nanticoke), with live music from Cool Ride and Hidden Drive.
If you don’t have a bike, you can join the fun for $5. For more information, visit stephaniejallen.org or call Bob Wineman at 570.510.5336.
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