A father/son team prove love and hard work conquer all
By Laura Rice
Friday, November 06, 2009 at 4:39 p.m.
Read more: Local, Health, Community, Outdoors, Sports, Ironman, Ironmen, Iron Man, Shane Tobin, Scott Tobin, Triathlon, Triathalon, Triatholon, Bike, Bicycle, Cycle, Cyclist, Crash, Accident, Car, Vehicle, Hit and Run, Paralyze, Wheelchair, Injure, Hurt
TOLEDO -- On Saturday, elite athletes will push themselves to the limits in the Ironman Florida.
Racers will swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and then finish by running a full marathon.
A father-son team from the Toledo area had planned to complete this race together but a tragic twist of fate forced them to change their plans.
18-year-old Shane Tobin and his father Scott share a passion for endurance sports.
Shane started triathlons at the age of 12, inspired by his dad, who has completed three Ironman races.
"We enjoyed cycling together and enjoyed spending that time out in the roads with nothing else around and conversation and laughing, really pushing ourselves," said Scott.
As a high school graduation present for Shane, Scott was going to complete his final Ironman as Shane would conquer his first.
"We'd be at the finish line together so that's all that matters," said Shane.
But cruel fate stepped in.
The night of September 11th, 2009, Shane and his friend Brett Hensinger were finishing a 70 mile bike ride when a car hit them and drove off.
"The first memory I have back is waking up in the hospital," said Shane.
Shane and Brett laid in a bean field for an hour before another driver saw them and called for help.
The accident left Brett with some serious injuries but, even worse, left Shane paralyzed.
"It's horrifying," said Shane. "I mean, you don't know how it feels not to move parts of your body until you can't move them."
The University of Toledo freshman now spends his days regaining the use of his hands and arms instead of fine-tuning his athletic ability.
"I couldn't think of anything else I'd rather do than go out for seven or eight hours a day and just ride all day," said Shane.
But he is not feeling sorry for himself, in fact, he says he feels lucky this accident happened to him now.
"It's kind of good timing too because I am young so the healing process will be better and I was in the best shape I could ever be in so that will also help the healing process," said Shane.
Shane's doctor at Cleveland MetroHealth says that attitude is inspiring other patients.
Shane had planned to make a lifestyle out of competing and this accident has not changed those plans.
"Eventually I hope to compete in it again. Disabled or not disabled," said Shane.
Shane hopes to focus the same drive that led him to excel in triathlon and get up out of his wheelchair someday.
His dad says, either way, they will cross finish lines together again.
"I can't imagine racing without him anymore so whatever it is that we find, we'll do it together," said Scott.
The two are not angry towards the driver who left shane paralyzed, but they say they hope Shane's story will spare others from the pain they have endured.
"I want to warn drivers to share the road and be kind and cautious to all the cyclists and everyone else on the road. I would like to see this not happen to anyone else," said Shane.
Shane and his dad do not really want the spotlight; they truly want to raise awareness about sharing the road with bicycles.
Click here to read more about Shane & Scott's story.
Click here to read Laura's blog and get the back story about this father/son team.
HOW TO SHARE THE ROAD*:
Drive Cautiously:
- Reduce speed when encountering cyclists
- Don't tailgate, especially in bad weather
- Recognize hazards cyclists may face and give them space
Yield to Cyclists:
- Bicycles are considered vehicles
- Cyclists should be given the appropriate right of way
- Allow extra time for cyclists to traverse intersections
Be Considerate:
- Scan for cyclists in traffic and at intersections
- Do not blast your horn in close proximity to cyclists
- Look for cyclists when opening doors
Pass with Care:
- When passing, leave four feet between you and a cyclist
- Wait for safe road and traffic conditions before you pass
- Check over your shoulder before moving back
Watch for Children:
- Children on bicycles are often unpredictable
- Expect the unexpected and slow down
- Don't expect children to know traffic laws
- Because of their size children can be harder to see
*These tips courtesy of the League of American Bicyclists
