----- Original Message -----
From: CyberCat19@aol.com
To:Garry Van Kirk
Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2007 5:59 PM
Subject: Re: Bikers Accident Survivor Forum


As a screenwriter, I have considered making a documentary on the various subjects that are important to me. My accident occurred when I was just twenty years old. I had run away from home nearly half a decade earlier, and was homeless, transient - traveling the US by at first by car, then hitchhiking, and by motorcycle with my boyfriend. We would stay in various places sometimes for months, and although we were most of the time alone, we occasionally connected with other transient bikers, or bike groups. I'll never forget the feeling of freedom, of being one with a machine that responded to every slight lean of your body. Of being able to intimately see, feel and smell the landscape of the US as we traveled from state to state. Unfortunately, that all came to an end one night, as did the rest of my life and lifestyle. It's a long story, and to keep it short - we hit a tree at a high rate of speed. I sustained a TBI, crushed the right side of my face, and lost most of my vision. I also went into cardiac arrest, and had a stroke that affected my right side. It's been a long time since then, and a lot of trying. There are good days, and bad days, of course. I don't ride, nor do I drive a motor vehicle. Some things you probably should have good vision for. Around '99 I had reconstructive surgery on my face, and had some partial vision restored. I did finally get my very first driver's license at age 35, but more as a symbol - I have night blindness, and even cloudy days diminish my capacity to read signs. Same reason I joined Mensa. It symbolizes that even with a brain injury and without graduating high school, I can still pass the IQ test. It's just a way to measure progress. Now I'm working on being successful in film directing. Another challenge - not because of disability this time, but because in all of the history of the Academy Awards, only one American female director has ever been nominated for an Oscar. Only two other women have also been nominated - and none have ever won.
Gives me something to work towards...
~Kitty
www.kittystar.com

----- Original Message -----
From: Garry Van Kirk
To: Kitty Kavey
Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2007 8:11 PM
Subject: Smiles of thank you's...


Kitty,

You are and have been a very powerful messenger of success... you will accomplish your passions in life..the desire is strong in you
this I read in your writing. You will become an award winning director this I feel too...:>)

I like the fact you remember the feeing of the ride, it's something one never looses, and a passion one never forgets either, smiles!!!

Don't be a stranger Kitty, k!

From a caring old Biker, me...:>))

Garry

----- Original Message -----
From: Garry Van Kirk
To: Kitty Kavey
Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2007 8:52 PM
Subject: Smiles of thank you's...Have to ask you ...:>)


Kitty,

With your permission, would it be appropriate for me to ask if I could post this thread of e-mails in my forum to support other
motorcyclist in there time of need? At the same time, it may help you to think more about witting a story, and direct a documentary
concerning a catastrophic injured motorcyclist. This is my passion and desire, ...I am asking you for your help..too.

Sorry, but I had to ask..

Again, ..With greatest respect and a honor,

Garry

----- Original Message -----
From: CyberCat19@aol.com
To: Garry Van Kirk
Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2007 9:48 PM
Subject: Re: Smiles of thank you's...Have to ask you ...:>)


Please feel free. My personal website is www.KittyStar.com and anyone who would like to can email me anytime. I'm working on getting funding for a documentary on homelessness right now, but once that project is complete, I'll be looking for my next story.
~Kitty
www.kittystar.com

----- Original Message -----
From: CyberCat19@aol.com
To: Garry Van Kirk
Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2007 10:14 PM
Subject: Re: Smiles of thank you's...Hugs!!!


All's I want in life is for the things that are bad, to get better. For those who feel sorrow and pain to come to a place of joy and peace. America is the best country in the world, with the best people in the world. Bikers are a singular group that shares a bond of understanding. I remember we could ride into a town or a city anywhere in the country, and no one cared that we didn't have a place to stay, or whatever the stigma was - race, gender, age... It didn't matter. We were bikers, and where we found other bikers we would get together and there was a brotherhood. Friends, food, a floor to sleep on for the night, and lots of good stories. That's what I remember, and it was good.
~Kitty
www.kittystar.com

Wow, how time flies! I thought I'd update you following this thread. In September 07 I left the US to live in Holland. I began biking again, traveling throughout the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg.

It's amazing to me how much better bikers are treated over here by the public, compared to my experience back in the US. I may have died on my back back there, but here I feel like I can really live again.

My only complaint is the usual motorcycle clubs vs. the independant riders. I hadn't paid much attention to the biker gangs back in the US, except to read stories in the news when they did something good, (usually charitable/support causes they helped) or something bad.

Seems that they have even more power and influence over on this side of the world, and unfortunately don't get much press other than negative.

Other than that, the bikers I've met here don't care if you're disabled or not, a girl or a guy, old or young, rich or poor, a weekend biker or a "real" biker, Harley or other... Man, that's nice.


~Kitty