The following release was picked up by media throughout BC and across Canada:
How two friends who both survived near-death experiences are helping impoverished amputees overseas
Vancouver, B.C. – Reckless Bike Stores owner Paul Dragan and local humanitarian Stephen Sumner have teamed up to help impoverished and forgotten amputees in war-torn regions get the tools they need to manage debilitating pain brought on by Phantom Limb Pain Syndrome.
April, 2019 marked the completion of local humanitarian Stephen Sumner’s most recent journey throughout Southeast Asia. Sumner travels by bike through war-torn regions to reach amputees suffering from an agonizing phenomenon known as Phantom Limb Pain Syndrome (PLP). Himself an amputee, Sumner offers pain management mirror therapy and free handmade mirrors to neglected populations – a mission made possible this year by Paul Dragan from Reckless Bike Stores. When Dragan learned about Sumner’s work he provided him with a 2018 Benno Cargo bike so that Sumner could transport his valuable mirrors and personal effects safely and easily while making his way from village to village.
“Having known Steve from 30 years ago, I was deeply saddened when I heard about the loss of his leg. When he told me about his mission to help others, I felt compelled to help. The bike is a team effort between myself, Steve, and the kind folks at Benno Bikes,” says Dragan.
Dragan is best known for his miraculous recovery after being gunned down outside of his Yaletown bike store in 2014. He is also the winner of Canada’s Independent Retailer of the Year award, a prominent cycling advocate on both local and provincial levels, a supporter of the annual Cops for Cancer ride (this year he supplied a fleet of Garneau bikes), and famous for the mobile tune-ups he offers at a number of B.C. events.
Fifteen years ago Sumner lay fighting for his life in a farmer’s field in Italy after the motorcycle he was riding was pummelled by a hit and run driver. Despite eventually being found and rushed to hospital Sumner’s severely damaged leg was deemed unsalvageable, and subsequently amputated.
Following the loss of his leg, Sumner suffered years of chronic and debilitating pain brought on by PLP. In 2009 Sumner happened upon the benefits of Mirror Therapy.
Mirror Therapy is a way of tricking the brain into thinking a missing limb is still intact by placing a mirror against the remaining limb so that two limbs become visible. With consistent repetition of this therapy the brain will eventually rewire itself, extinguishing pain signals in the process. The benefit of this simple yet powerful solution to PLP is what inspired Sumner to help the most vulnerable of amputees, and what led to his charitably funded Me and My Mirror project.
“Eight years ago I began this dream by imagining myself doing as much as possible by bike, for a million reasons including the state of our planet and feeding my passion for cycling. A strong, capable and comfortable cargo bike like my Carry On gives me a huge added advantage. When I arrive through the hills and to the local amputees on a bike with all my gear and just one leg, my message is clear: ‘Sure you’ve lost a limb, but you can still do anything you want. Plus,” adds Sumner, “it gives me rock star status.”
After his four-and-a-half month tour through Sri Lanka, Myanmar and North Vietnam, Sumner says that Paul Dragan’s generous contribution made easy work out of a formidable journey. He says the Benno is just the right bike for his fall, 2019 mission in Colombia, and his spring, 2020 tour throughout The Balkans, Ukraine, and Crimea.
About Paul Dragan and Reckless Bike Stores
Paul “The Big Wheel” Dragan is the owner/founder of Reckless Bike Stores. Having opened the doors to his first Vancouver shop in 1986, Reckless Bikes has since grown into a popular three-store business that offers a variety of bike brands and accessories, full-service repairs, and bike rental services. Paul is an avid contributor to the wellness of his community, and is often called upon to help cities and municipalities understand how optimal cycling infrastructure is key to environmental and economic benefits. Reckless.ca
About Me and My Mirror
Me and My Mirror.org is an entirely donor-funded project, founded and operated solely by Stephen Sumner. Himself an above-the-knee amputee, Sumner cured himself of Phantom Limb Pain through the incredibly simple miracle known as Mirror Therapy. He now offers this treatment, along with free handmade mirrors, to vulnerable amputees in neglected regions who are suffering from this agonizing, debilitating and little-understood pain. Meandmymirror.org
For more on this story, please contact:
Paul Dragan
Email: Dragan@RekTek.com
Phone: 604-648-2600
LINKS TO MEDIA:
Vancouver humanitarian promotes therapy for amputees, thanks to gift from Yaletown shooting survivor
Local amputee bikes through Asia helping others who have lost limbs
https://bc.ctvnews.ca/vancouver-s-mirror-man-helping-amputees-recover-from-phantom-limb-pain-1.4388657
https://rock101.com/news/5188965/reckless-bikes-phantom-limb-syndrome-yaletown-shooting-victim/
https://www.thechronicleherald.ca/living/canadian-amputee-bikes-through-asia-helping-others-who-have-lost-limbs-304255/
https://www.theguardian.pe.ca/living/canadian-amputee-bikes-through-asia-helping-others-who-have-lost-limbs-304255/