Surf City man with disability riding high with kindness from friends, strangers

Updated: Aug. 14, 2018 at 4:05 PM EDT
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SOUTHEASTERN NORTH CAROLINA (WECT) - A man who has struggled with physical disability since he was a baby now has an upgraded set of wheels thanks to the kindness of a friend and the generosity of strangers.

Surf City resident Joey Hemp took home a new, electric-assisted tricycle Tuesday which will allow him to traverse the new, steeper bridge to Surf City set to open later this year.

Hemp admits his life hasn't been easy. His challenges started at an early age when his foster parents neglected him.

"I suffered some major brain trauma when I was about 2 years old under the care of my foster parents," said Hemp. "I fell off a table of all things and suffered a double hematoma."

The brain trauma caused permanent damage to Joey's motor skills, especially on the right side of his body.

"I just take one day at a time, one basic step at a time," Hemp said.

After 26 operations, including surgeries on his legs and the installation of a metal plate in his head, Hemp slowly built up his strength.

"If it wasn't for those surgeries, I probably would be still in a wheelchair," said Hemp.

He was about 10 years old when he was finally able to walk with the help of crutches. He got stronger as he got older with the help of physical therapy, and today he uses a cane to walk.

But learning how to ride a tricycle was the key that helped Hemp unlock his mobility.

"It was always an adult, three-wheeled bike. I could never ride a two-wheel because of the balance issues and my disability," Hemp said.

Nowadays, Hemp uses his tricycle to get around Surf City.

"I do an average of about 10 miles a day on a bike," said Hemp. "I get tired a lot easier compared to people who don't have disabilities because of the strain I'm putting on my muscles."

He fishes and works at the Surf City Pier. Hemp has recently traveled a marathon distance in about three hours on his bike.

Hemp met Scott Bradshaw, a mortgage banker and loan officer, when looking to purchase a condo.

"Since then, I've made friends with Joey," said Bradshaw. "I've watched him ride by the office, and occasionally I would grab him and take him to lunch.

"If you go to Surf City and you spend any time in Surf City, Topsail Beach, you'll know Joey and his bike, especially when he put his fishing cart behind it."

The new Surf City bridge will be a major asset to the town, helping to reduce traffic, make car travel easier, and update the design.

But the new bridge is also steeper and will make access difficult for Joey, who has relied on his single-speed trike to cross over onto the mainland for years.

"Just a couple of weeks ago, we went to lunch together, and I was looking at his bike and saw how foul of shape it was in," said Bradshaw. "And in the background of the restaurant we were in, we could see the new high-rise bridge."

"And I asked him, 'Joey, how are you going to get over that bridge?' he said, 'I don't know. I have a single speed bike, I haven't worked that out yet,'" Bradshaw explained.

With convincing from Scott, the pair started researching new bike technology that would allow him to make the journey with his physical disability.

But the price for a new bike was as steep as the new bridge Joey was gearing up to cross. So Scott helped Joey create a fundraiser on Facebook asking the community to help him purchase the bike.

"I couldn't afford something like this on my own," said Joey.

In just three weeks, people donated about $4,000 to help buy the new bike.

"Once [the fundraiser] started, it just skyrocketed so quickly," said Joey. "And I was very surprised, very humbled. Just to see the people out there that are generous."

On Tuesday, Joey and Scott went to Two-Wheeler Dealer bicycle shop in Wilmington to pick up the new bike.

It's a tricycle with multiple gears, a battery-powered pedal assist, plus many more features.

"This thing is just going to get him pretty much anywhere he needs to go. From nine to 20 miles on a single battery charge is just going to make his day-to-day life easier," said Jonathan Mincher, a mechanic at Two-Wheeler Dealer.

Joey said the bike is a dream come true, but it will take him time to adjust from a single-speed bike to one with an electric pedal assist.

"A huge difference. I'll be able to go a lot farther," said Joey. "The electric motor will kick in to assist you while you're pedaling. So there's not much strain on your legs."

Scott said he had no doubt the community and strangers would donate to help Joey get a new, better bike.

"I put it out there on Facebook as a fundraiser, and the community just outpoured," said Scott. "And in three week's time, we've raised more than enough money to pay for the bike, to pay for a maintenance program, and to put a little money aside for him to keep up with it in the future."

Joey hopes his journey to getting a new bike will serve as an inspiration for others who are struggling with a challenge.

"There are no limitations as long as you put your mind to it," said Joey. "Thank you. Thank you is all I can say."

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