By GABE HARPER – Variety Writer
A community is defined in part by the action its people take when faced with opportunity to act. On Saturday, Feb. 16th, Athens came together to bike for Grace, and keep her healing mobile.
On January 11, Clarke Central High School senior Grace Byrne was hit by a car on Milledge Ave. while running with two other friends, and was taken immediately to the Intensive Care Unit at Athens Regional Medical Center suffering from various serious head injuries.
“She had no broken bones, and no other injuries except for the brain injuries,” Chris Byrne, father of Grace said. “She did spend three weeks in the Intensive Care Unit at Athens Regional, and was most recently transferred to the Shepherd Center where she’s receiving care and proceeding through rehabilitation.”
“Walnuts for Grace” was the response those closest to Grace took as result of this horrible accident, in order to show support.
“Grace’s mom thought the walnut looked like a brain,” senior and close friend of Grace’s Ilaina Burns said. “And she decided that if they kept walnuts in their pocket, they could feel them and think of healing and pray for Grace.”
A Facebook page was opened that regularly updates followers on Byrne’s medical status, and t-shirts were made that CCHS students could purchase during lunch with all finances going towards helping with extensive medical bills.
On February 16, the Athens community supported the Byrne family with the “Ride for Grace.”
“I look for ways or opportunities to become involved, and how I can galvanize people’s interest”, ride organizer and former Clarke Middle School Principal Dr. Ken Sherman said. “An activity that’s fun and attractive, but also can get people organized around an idea or a cause, and of course in the case of Grace, it seemed like an especially fitting thing to do because she’s such a great athlete.”
The CCHS family and the greater Athens community has responded to the ride.
“I posted a Facebook page for the ride, and we got about 60 immediate responses”, Sherman said. “There seems to be a good talk going around town about it.”
The ride will also directly benefit the Byrne family financially.
“We (wanted) to collect some money as donations to the Byrne family to assist in paying for a little bit of the hospital expenses. We’ve dubbed it a medical fund for Grace, and the family has been graciously appreciative.”
The ride departed from CCHS the morning of the 16th and headed towards Arnoldsville, Winterville and back towards Athens again. The round trip route was 42 miles, however, shorter 22, 11 and 6 mile rides were offered for less avid bikers.
“I think it’s a way of showing the outpouring of love and support for Grace, and she’s been so grateful for the support she’s received from folks visiting her in the hospital and I think this is another visual demonstration, to let her see that all these folks came out in your honor and to say that we’re here for you,” Sherman said.
People of all ages were encouraged to participate and express their commitment and love for Grace and the Byrne family in their time of hardship and healing.
“I responded as a father,” Sherman said. “ Maybe first and foremost as a father, my little girl means everything to me, she’s 19 years old now, and I know how my heart would be broken if, God forbid, anything happened to her, so I wanted to do something, as a former school district person, as someone who knows Grace but mostly as a father.”
