Road Tripping With ALS

CRPL
Clandestine Racing Powerchair League

I’m going to break the first rule of CRPL, and talk about it. What is CRPL? Illegal nighttime powerchair racing; that’s what it is! It’s sweeping the nation, in a whisper– you just don’t know cuz we don’t talk about it, just saying.

I had the distinct pleasure of taking on the trash talkin, I mean the incomparable Maceo (Comon) Carter! Meg and I also had the pleasure of meeting his beautiful family, wife Maya and their three boys. Before I reveal the winner of the CRPL throw down (me), I want to share our visit with them.

Again, Meg and I had planned on meeting them our first trip, but alas we were overcome by events. Not this time!

We were greeted by Maya with their youngest in her arms. After the initial pleasantries we chatted about? I’ll give you a few guesses. The wheelchair race? No. Kids? No. ALS? Bingo! Makes sense, right!

We shared the extreme challenges of caring for someone with ALS and maintaining the household. While also navigating the constant loss ALS generates. Compounding the challenges for their family is the fact they left family to pursue a more responsive clinical support network. COVID has only added to the feeling of isolation for the entire family. Maceo shared candidly that he is simply tired of the relentless and insatiable appetite of ALS; “just fucking tired”. The remainder of our conversation is, well, between two wheelchairs.

Now as for the powerchair race, watch the video!

J Reyes