Road Warriors

Did I mention it is MS Awareness month? Several of my friends and coworkers have asked to donate to MS research on my behalf. That is an incredibly kind and generous thing to do. And please don’t.

MS affects half a million people in the United States. And that is a huge number. There needs to be money for research. Scientists need to develop therapies. But when the pharmaceutical companies charge $1000 for each shot of medicine, it’s hard to believe that they are pushing very hard for a cure. If their drugs keep us MS patients alive and forever taking their medicine, they might not be in a huge rush to change that.

The average lifetime cost of an MS diagnosis is $1.2 million. That’s a huge number too. We do need to find a way to cure and prevent this disease.

But I have a little number for you: 1.

That is the number of kids in my house counting on Bikers Against Child Abuse to feel safe. If you want to donate some money in my name, send it to BACA.

BACA, a non-profit organization, empowers children who have suffered abuse, standing ready to lend the support of an established, united organization. They send a clear message to all involved with the abused child that this child is part of the BACA family, and they are prepared to lend physical and emotional support.

BACA stands at the ready to shield these children from further abuse. They don’t condone the use of violence or physical force in any manner. But, according to their mission statement, “if circumstances arise such that we are the only obstacle preventing a child from further abuse, we stand ready to be that obstacle.”

BACA is there for these kids any time they are scared. They ride by their homes, just to remind the kids that they are not alone. They support these kids during court and parole hearings, making sure that they don’t feel frightened or intimidated. These kids are surrounded and protected by some pretty intimidating guys. That helps when you need to be brave.

I love every single one of these guys.

When Kidlet hears the deep rumble of half a dozen Harley Davidsons headed down the street, he breaks into a smile, knowing that his biker family is coming for a visit. He runs to put on his motorcycle club vest, embroidered with his biker name: Ace.

And Ace talks and wrestles and tells Teddy, Rocky, and Red all about his latest karate belt test and good report card. Then he dons a helmet and jumps on the back of a bike to go for ice cream.

These men of BACA help replace the pain and scars of abuse and betrayal with the truth that not all men are monsters. The truth that some men will dedicate their lives to building positive mindsets and memories. Some men are good men.

Ace has Rocky’s phone number programmed into his phone. Rocky told him that if he EVER needed help, all he needs to do is call. Rocky told me that if I needed him, call the police first, then call him. And that he would arrive before the cops do. Ace and I both sleep better knowing that.

These amazing people use their vacation time to escort a child to court. They take precious time away from their own family to visit these kids. They are the most kind-hearted, amazing people. Until you hurt a kid. Then, they will stand in front of that kid for as long as needed.

These guys are bikers. They are exactly what you are picturing. They wear leather. They have tattoos and beards. They are big and intimidating, and there are a lot of them. BACA can scare the hell out of a child abuser with just one look. And the abuser should be scared. BACA isn’t playing games.

Like everything else in our world, all this costs money. BACA is funded by donations from the public. If you would like to donate money in my name and on my behalf, send it to them. I think they need it more right now.

In the upcoming months, BACA will be walking down the hall, escorting Ace to the courtroom where he will tell his story about the time he was hurt by the tsunami, Robert G. Freeman.

For a detailed account of the nine first-degree felony charges of abuse filed against Robert Freeman, you can look them up on UtahsRight.com. They are of public record.

Robert Freeman currently lives in Henderson, NV with his third wife and baby daughter. This Oracle employee, published author, and member of the LDS church is looking at what I am sure will be a very uncomfortable jury trial. With a lot of really large bikers sitting in the row behind him.

Ace is going to be just fine. His entire family has his back.

To make a tax-deductible donation to BACA, go to:
http://www.bacausa.com/Internet/Merchandise.php
Buy a shirt or a mug. Send the Wasatch Front Utah Chapter of BACA some money. I think the people with MS would understand.

Please spread this information. All of it.