down a car, up a bike

In 1975 my dad and three of us buddies left from Detroit, Michigan on a year long journey that would end in La Paz, Bolivia totaling more than 8,000 miles of road trekked.

I've grown up with his stories of this trip- in fact I can probably tell many of his own stories by memory! A few years ago he biked coast to coast 2 separate times as well as several bike trips throughout the country. So biking is essentially in my blood...

Ironically I didn't have a bike for much of my childhood- we lived in the country- but off a busy road and our road was very hilly- so I didn't have a bike. When David and I got married I got a little used bike I'd tool around in from time to time. When we were living in Detroit my dad and I bought a bike a bike from his dear friend after the tragic passing of his wife. That bike has been one of my favorite things! First we bought a bike seat to put on the bike so I could haul Bentley around,





and later we bought the Burley so I could bike with both boys. By the time Lily was born I could put her in the bike seat and haul the Burley with the boys. What a load!







There is something really freeing about biking around. You get a better sense of your community- if you take similar routes you begin to meet people. You learn the roads well and you get to enjoy the fresh air! Also biking is a good way to get some exercise- and we all can use more exercise!




When we decided to move to Tucson we started dreaming of how we could bike more and drive less. Luckily David's new job is under 2 miles from the house so he can bike daily. We sold our corolla before we left Detroit to simplify our trip! On our long road trip this summer we saw several cargo bikes with kids on the back... the one I really liked was the Yuba Mundo. When we arrived in Tucson we found a local dealer of Yuba's who had one all ready to go- so we bought it!

The bike seemed like such a great idea and the best way to get kids around! I was so excited to give it a try. We got it home and put one kid on the back- I road up and down the road without a problem. So we lifted up the other two I went to go for a ride and quickly realized it was going to be harder than I thought! The bike almost fell over, but luckily I caught it. So David hopped on to give a try and the same thing happened. He said, "We've seen people do this- I know we can do it!" Once he got the hang of it he gave me back the bike and encouraged me to give it another try. I knew we had just dropped a pretty penny to buy the thing that I wanted so bad- so in all my stubbornness I got back up- shaking and terrified- I road 6 houses away and quickly came back. "That's a wrap! Let's try tomorrow," I said.

The next day we went for a 3 mile ride. It did not go flawlessly. Most people were super encouraging and kind, but there were a few not happy people we were in the way or at one point I literally froze before I could cross the street and all these cars were angrily waiting for me to move. It was a people pleaser's worst nightmare! But we made it home.


Now I've ridden the yuba with the three kids over 100 miles and it's tipped over once- my fault- at a stop sign- the kids shifted and I wasn't ready- no one was hurt and they popped right back on in true Crawford style. Though the experience did jostle me for a day or two.

All this said I thought I'd share the reason I ride a bike with three kids in tow....

I ride my bike to save the planet. 

As a Christian and as a citizen of this world I think it is important to take care of the earth. We are doing that by owning 1 less car, biking more, using less energy by hanging our laundry instead of owning a dryer, using less water in the desert, and we plan to buy solar panels for our home. 

I ride my bike to save money. 

1. It doesn't need gas.

2. It saves on wear and tear. 

3. I don't have to go to the gym

4. parking is free

5. It doesn't cost the same to maintain a bike as it does a car.

I ride my bike to save my health.

1. Riding my bike as a way of life is a better way to stay healthy because it's already built into my daily routine, it doesn't require me to go out and find a time to work out- it's just integrated into my daily life. 

2. It keeps my heart healthy and happy. Heart disease is the number 1 killer in this country. I want to live as healthy as I can. 

3. You work all of your muscles if you're incorporating hills into your ride. You get toner and have more energy!

4. It's easy on joints. 

5. I am showing the kids that it's important to live an active lifestyle that saves them and saves their planet.

I ride my bike because it's fun.

No pressure, no worries if biking isn't your thing or you can't do it right now- but if you can- I'd encourage you to get on a bike and start moving! I'm sure you'll be glad you did. :)

interlochen, mi

Hot sand on toes, cold sand in sleeping bags,

I've come to know that memories

Were the best things you ever had

The summer shone beat down on bony backs

So far from home where the ocean stood

Down dust and pine cone tracks

We slept like dogs down by the fire side

Awoke to the fog all around us

The boom of summer time

Ben Howard: Old Pine

There was a man whose name was Carl. He married a woman named Janet. They had three daughters: Linda, Ginger, and Betsy. Linda lives in Denver, CO with her husband. Their son, Todd also lives in Denver with his wife, Jenny and their four children. Their daughter, Betsy, lives in Tennesse with her husband, Caleb, and three, soon to be four- daughters. 

Ginger and her husband Dave live in Ann Arbor, MI. (We had the wonderful opportunity to live close to them the last 8 years- and their love and role in our life was very special and will always be remembered.) They have three children: Nan is married to Jess and they have two boys and live on a farm in Chelsea. Luke is married to Katherine and they have a daughter and a babe on the way and currently live in California. Their youngest lives in Ann Arbor. 

The third daughter- Betsy lives with her husband in Nogales. They have 5 children. The eldest-the man of my dreams and our three rascals obviously live in Tucson now. :) Steven and his wife Tanya live in LA. Jane and her husband Vidal life in Tucson. Mark and his wife Layne also live in Tucson. And finally- Caroline- who is finishing up her degree in vocal performance at the Univ of Arizona. 

This couple - Carl and Janet- began a beautiful thing- a family that loves and cherishes one another- a family that supports one another and likes to be together. Carl went to be with his Lord and Savior five years ago this October. The summer before he passed away we had a reunion- so the family thought it was more than due time to get everyone together. And we did! Every person mentioned was at the reunion. 

There's a small lake in Interlochen, MI named Green Lake. Along much of one side is a state park- one without electric hook ups- preventing too many developments and keeps many boats away. Next to that is a well known school for music. Also across from there sits a small cottage that has been in the family for decades. David and his family love this place- and I'm thankful I've been able to fall in love with it as well. There's no wifi up there (though cell phone technology has made it feel less remote than at first!) No TV. Just water, sand, and memories to be made. 

The reunion was a lot of fun. I enjoyed all of David's cousins, aunts, uncles, and of course the immediate family. The kids had a blast with all their little cousins and playing in the water. 

Once again words just don't capture the same beauty as my lens- so I'll do less talk and more photos :)

little cousins

older cousins

Lily and Otis

Lake Michigan- This was the most fun I have ever had swimming in Lake Michigan! What a good bye!!!

David's cousin built a boat!

Overall it was a wonderful few days (many stayed longer) at Green Lake. What began as sweet young love then blossoming into three daughters and then to this... it's really special to be part of it now... I can only hope and pray that I will get to see our little family grow into something like this- even if it doesn't look like the extension of many people- I know that it will prove itself special. Simply enjoying our camping trip- with this stop- and watching our three children learn to love the earth and the animals and the sunsets and the sunrises and the delicious fruits and vegetables that we eat- it's all part of this journey- the twists and turns you never know that are up ahead- but just enjoying each moment as it comes... so we stopped and enjoyed some moments with family.

And then we headed north- to the remote upper peninsula of Michigan where the pace of life changes- the beauty even more magnificent. 

as the journey unfolds

Life is a great mystery. As a young child I didn't have the capacity to imagine what it would be like to continue this journey called life-the great joys, the deep heart breaks- the mass beauty-- it was all unfathomable. I'd become a teacher and have some kids and live in a house and have neighbors- but oh no- life is so so much more intricate- detailed- intense than that.

There are several facets of life that are in transition right now, but the one I long to share with you about is in regards to career.

About 9 years ago we took in a sweet child from the foster care system. She was 4.5 years when she came to live with us. She was a therapeutic foster care placement which meant she had higher needs. She was basically non verbal, not potty trained, very thin- labeled failure to thrive. She had experienced intense abuse her whole life. She was a challenge.  But she also changed us. She had this adorable laugh and this huge smile and a love to play. She'd run around the yard with our 2 big dogs laughing and playing. She didn't make friends well- she usually tried to stab them with a fork or bite them with her mouth- but she was working on that. She was in a special needs school which I promptly removed her from and placed her with her peers- inclusion wasn't on my radar- except that it was already planted in my soul. At the end of our year with her David was accepted in medical school at Wayne State in Detroit so we  bought a condo in Ann Arbor where she'd be in a good school district and worked on adopting her- but the case worker changed her mind- mostly because it would be too much work to coordinate with another state- it was a huge heartbreak- one that took years to heal from.

During David's first year of medical school there was the genetics panel. He came home telling me about all these adorable kids with Down syndrome and how they were so cute- he just fell in love with them. I was pregnant with Bentley- we didn't know he had Down syndrome... I said, "We should adopt one!" He laughed and said, "Well you can't-- there's a waiting list..."

Enter Bentley. I write about this kid all the time- cause he is changing us all the time. Life is all about change. Kids change you- it's true- but a kid with a developmental disability bring his own life changing paths. He has opened my eyes to the injustices, the segregation, and the struggles families with kids with disabilities face.





David choose to do his residency in the internal medicine and pediatric program at Detroit Medical Center. He wanted to be challenged with complex medical cases- be able to work in or out patient, and be able to treat the whole family. He has had the most amazing experience in residency. The hours are terribly long, but he loves what he does.




In October David signed a contract to work with a local Tucson clinic called El Rio. El Rio is a federally qualified health center- so that basically means this: federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) include all organizations receiving grants under Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act (PHS). FQHCs qualify for enhanced reimbursement from Medicare and Medicaid, as well as other benefits. FQHCs must serve an underserved area or population, offer a sliding fee scale, provide comprehensive services, have an ongoing quality assurance program, and have a governing board of directors. Certain tribal organizations and FQHC Look-Alikes (an organization that meets PHS Section 330 eligibility requirements, but does not receive grant funding) also may receive special Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement.
He was so excited to work in this environment. 

A couple weeks ago he received an email from a woman in Tucson who works for a place called Childrens Clinics at Tucson Medical Center (click to see you link :). The facility is looking for a med/peds doc who can take care of kids with medically complex cases and special needs. They currently have a few part time pediatricians, and are looking to hire a physician trained as an internist, but also with pediatrics to fully care for these kids and their families. The challenge with kids as they age out of pediatrics is that their medical care has proven to go down and things that were once controlled are not now. Also physicians who deal with adults don't always do well serving the people with disabilities population because they're not used to dealing with parents and caregivers in addition to patients. I probably will write more on this and use research to explain more thoroughly, but you get the idea. 

So David went through a few interviews and visited the facility and received a contract to sign. :) But he had one major obstacle- he had already signed with El Rio- who works closely with Childrens Clinics.... well he called yesterday and with grace and a blessing they released him from his contract and hope to collaborate in the future. 

So now David is going to be working less than 2 miles from the house we just bought. He's going to be caring for people with disabilities. He's walking the journey that makes total sense for our family.

A physician who cares for families caring for children with disabilities while simultaneously raising a son with a disability makes total sense. It's exactly what our family needs to be doing and it's exactly what he needs to be doing. 

God is opening up doors that I didn't even know existed. I never imagined being part of the community of special needs. Ever. But I am fully embracing this path and I am so excited to see the journey unfold. 






                  

the things we do in detroit

preschool groups, play, tiger's games, read books, be silly, laugh, enjoy the outdoors, and love each other!!