Mercy on wheels

Waiting patiently to pull onto U.S. Highway 71 South, Shayla Bee riders Jerry Faulkner, Aydan Perez, Shawn Morton and Jennifer Nelson, from left, led a pack of 18 motorcycles Saturday afternoon on a ride to visit Blaine Flink's family in Aurelia. (Photo by Kris Todd) [Order this photo]

A leather clad legion of motorcycle riders had invaded the rural Iowa community.

Their engines rattled as they parked and shut off outside the home of a family of four. The young parents, with their children in tow, opened the door, looked upon the collection of iron and leather surrounding their home, and smiled.

Jerry Faulkner and his angels of mercy had arrived.

On behalf of the Shayla Bee group, Jerry Faulkner presented Tegan Flink with a Shayla Bee tattoo Saturday afternoon as her parents, Travis and Vicki Flink, little brother, Blaine Flink, Lucille Faulkner as the Shayla Bee, Aydan and Lindsay Perez watched. For more photographs from this weekend's ride, visit www.spencerdailyreporter.com. (Photo by Kris Todd) [Order this photo]

Shayla Bee. Not exactly the toughest name for a biker gang, but it suits their purpose and their mission.

Their club mascot, a giant bumblebee, caught the attention of Tegan, the older sister of Blaine Flink. The biker bunch was there for Blaine, but Tegan served as their official welcoming wagon as she grinned from ear to ear, pointed and yelled, "It's Shayla Bee" when she caught sight of the group's costumed mascot.

The group was formed as a living memorial to Shayla Kaye Rohrbaugh. Her six-year battle with the medical condition Schizencephaly was an inspiration to not only her family, but all who loved and cared for her. The group's name came from Faulkner's nickname for his granddaughter.

Today, the nonprofit group's mission is to "help responsible, working-class families with a child -- and limited financial means -- in times of medical crisis." Families, such as the Flinks, become eligible through a third-party nomination and an application process.

Blaine Flink was Shayla Bee's latest recipient. The 1-year-old, diagnosed with hydrocephalus at birth, otherwise known as "water on the brain," has endured three surgeries to date to place and replace a shunt in his head. While doctors have informed the Flink family that while he will more than likely have lifelong disabilities, they've also been told that the more they can do for Blaine now could limit his long-term problems.

The motorcycle riders who visited Aurelia this past weekend provided more than support to the Flinks -- they offered hope.

Bikers provide inspiration

By Kris Todd, Daily Reporter Staff

Jerry Faulkner, left, presented a Shayla Bee package of support to Ron, Kim and Mike Radig, of Estherville, as the Shayla Bee mascot looked on Sunday, Oct. 18. (Photo submitted)

As the delegation gathered Saturday afternoon in the parking lot of S S Collision & Cycle Works, the sun's rays shone brightly for a few moments.

To rally the troops together, Jerry Faulkner delivered a note from Mike Radig, the 17-year-old diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a form of bone cancer, the Shayla Bee group visited last weekend. As Faulkner read the Estherville teenager's note, smiles slipped across several of the the bikers' faces.

"I wanted to thank you for everything. This is going to help out a lot. I thought the bikes were sweet," Faulkner read aloud. "I wouldn't think some bike gang would be doing stuff like this. But, coming to our house on the bikes was the sweetest thing ever."

"If our treatment stays on track," he continued, "I'll be done by the middle of January. I was planning on buying a bike next summer some time. I would like to ride it with the (Shayla Bee) Foundation and help support your group."

The Ron, Kim and Mike Radig family marked the Shayla Bee group's 22nd "working-class family with a child in medical crisis" it donated a financial contribution and support to. Fully inspired by Mike's letter, those who gathered Saturday found themselves ready to visit Travis, Vicki, Tegan and Blaine Flink, the group's 23rd family, in Aurelia.

Since June 2007, Shayla Bee riders have visited: