For most people, Friday June 10th will pass like any other day, but for UTC student Tyson Ward, he’ll be doing something he hasn’t been able to do in a year: ride a bike. After recovering from an accident that left him in a three-month coma, Ward will be enjoying two bike rides, and he is encouraging everyone else to join him by doing the something they love.
“I am doing something I thoroughly enjoy, and my idea was that everybody should do something as enjoyable for them as a bike ride is for me. I have always enjoyed being outside, cruising around on a bike,” Ward said.
Last year, Ward and his father were fishing on J. Percy Priest Lake near Nashville, Tennessee, when a collision occurred with another boat, causing serious injuries. After the accident, Ward had to endure a dozen surgeries and months of strenuous physical therapy.
“I woke up from a coma in late September, and was always told I needed to wait at least a year from my accident before I tried anything real physically demanding or challenging, so I’ve been looking forward to this day for a while,” he continued.
Ward created a Facebook event for the day. Called “A Big Ol’ Bike Ride,” he tells attendees, “Don’t just do something you like on this day, do what you like, and try to make it happen twice in one day.” More than 1,500 people have signed up.
“I am flat out stunned that so many people have committed to this. I think this was different enough to make a bunch of people curious about the whole thing,” he said.
Ward was also amazed by the support of the UTC community to help him and his family cope with the accident. “My sister’s sorority, Chi Omega, put on fundraisers to help my family try to cope with this big thing, and I know they were there to show care and support for my sister (Camille Ward, UTC alumna and 2009 Homecoming Queen) through this whole disaster,” he said.
“Also, Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU), a campus ministry I’ve been a big part of for several years, showed unimaginable support for me and my family. I was visited by countless friends from CRU, some of whom I didn’t even know, but had just heard my story,” he continued.
Ward will return to the University in the fall to finish his Chemistry degree. During his sophomore year at UTC, Ward was chosen as a Grote scholar by the Chemistry faculty.
“I am unbelievably excited to come back to school. I will return as a senior, so hopefully I will be successful when I return and graduate soon thereafter,” he said.
