RONEN ZILBERMAN / RZILBERMAN@STARBULLETIN.COM
In The Sharon's Ride/ Walk yesterday, Mike Nishimoto rode his bike during a 25-mile race. Nishimoto is a former triathlete recovering from being hit by a bus last year.
Bicyclist inspires
riders in epilepsy
fund-raiserMike Nishimoto didn’t let
a near-fatal mishap stop his
involvement in physical events
More than a year ago, doctors told Mike Nishimoto he was paralyzed and would never walk again.
Yesterday, Nishimoto rode his bicycle 21 miles to support the Epilepsy Foundation of Hawaii.
"It's just incredible," said Raul Boca, who helped train Nishimoto. "I couldn't believe it. It's like a miracle."
In January 2003, while preparing for the New Zealand Ironman triathlon, Nishimoto set out on an easy late afternoon bicycle ride from Kahala to Hawaii Kai. While heading up Kealaolu Avenue, a bus struck him from behind, dragging him underneath it.
He sustained nerve damage to his legs, spinal injuries, a lacerated liver, a punctured lung and broken ribs. Many rods and screws now hold parts of his body together. Doctors told him he would never walk again.
Since October, he has been able to walk with a cane after being wheelchair-bound for several months.
Yesterday, Nishimoto, 43, completed 21 miles of the 25-mile bike ride for the second annual Sharon's Ride/Walk for Epilepsy. The event is in memory of Sharon Rosenfield, a nurse and teacher who was killed during a cross-country bicycle ride in 1993.
Bicyclists rode from Kapiolani Community College to Kalama Valley and back to the college.
Nishimoto, who completed the ride in an hour and 45 minutes, said he wants to be an inspiration for those who don't believe they can overcome obstacles.
"You gotta push yourself. You don't know what you can do," he said. "After you pull through, you can push through your next hurdle."
People have approached him and said that his determination has changed their outlook, he said.
"I may be running again," he said.
Neither Nishimoto nor his friends let the accident overwhelm him.
On July 4, Nishimoto participated in the 5K Freedom Run through Kailua on his wheelchair to benefit the Epilepsy Foundation of Hawaii.
Then he swam the 2.5-mile Waikiki Rough Water Swim and did marathons in his wheelchair.
Two weeks ago, Nishimoto got on his bicycle for the first time and rode circles on the grass. Days later, he and a friend rode 19 miles from Kapiolani Community College to Hawaii Kai.
"I was totally exhausted," he said.
Nishimoto continues to go to physical therapy twice a week and does strength training at the Honolulu Club.
In April, he plans to ski for the first time at the Paralyzed Veterans of America Olympics in Aspen, Colo., and participate in a triathlon in Kona.
Nishimoto credited his friends for supporting him through a difficult year.
"My friends helped me out so much," he said.
Julie Meier, who rode beside Nishimoto yesterday, said "He's amazing ... He always makes us feel like we can do it."
Nishimoto's goal is to compete in the New Zealand Ironman, the event he was training for when he was struck by a bus.
"Right back where I left off," he said.
