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Virginia Beach's Paul Kelly is a biker with a cause

Published by
Shane   Aug 28th 2008, 8:44pm
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By Amber Kuehn

Paul Kelly has raced more than 2,136 miles this year, and he's far from done.

There's the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon Sunday in Virginia Beach. Then the Marine Corps Marathon in October in D.C.

He competes for charity, and he does it despite being paralyzed.

A swimming pool accident 30 years ago left Kelly, now 52, with limited movement of his shoulders, elbows and wrists. If not for his hand bike, a tricycle-like device with three large wheels, Kelly would be unable to compete. He doesn't have the strength to push a conventional wheelchair.

To get into the hand bike is difficult in itself.

With the assistance of his wife, Sally, and the aid of a mechanical lift, Kelly takes the seat, low to the ground. His legs extend in front of him and his feet rest on a bar that goes through the front wheel. While his arms are limp, he has slight strength in his wrists - enough to operate the hand cranks that power the bike.

Kelly trains on the boardwalk at the Oceanfront, breezing by surprised onlookers. An American flag flaps from the back of his bike.

"Racing hand bikes has opened up a whole new world for me," Kelly says when he finally comes to a stop.

A world that, for two years, has included raising money for Hope for the Warriors, a charity that helps.... READ MORE



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