Duo bikes for domestic violence prevention
September 14, 2010
By Laura Geggel
Bridget (left) and Cycle the WAVE Ride Director Sharon Anderson talk about raising money for the Eastside Domestic Violence Program. By Laura Geggel
Bridget considers herself a strong woman, so strong that she found a way to save herself and her young son from her abusive husband.
The two got help from the Eastside Domestic Violence Program, and now Bridget is giving back by cycling with the Lakemont Ladies Cycling Club during the annual Cycle the WAVE — Women Against Violence Everywhere — Issaquah bike ride.
It takes seven times for an abused woman to actually leave her husband, Cycle the WAVE ride director Sharon Anderson said.
“I was on time five,” said Bridget, who asked that her last name not be used, because she lives in confidential housing to protect herself and her son.
She lived with her husband for 10 years and lived with multiple kinds of abuse: emotional, psychological, verbal, physical and financial.
“Things really changed for me when I had my son,” she said.
The family had lived in Seattle, but later moved to Las Vegas. Bridget said she had no phone, no computer and no car. Still, she found a way to call emergency shelters. Of all the shelters, the women at the EDVP were the most compassionate, Bridget said.
EDVP has served more than 104,800 victims of domestic violence since it opened in 1982. For every person the EDVP shelters, the nonprofit has to turn 18 away for financial reasons and limited space.
“I told my ex we were leaving to see family. Otherwise, I would have never gotten out,” she said.
Her family, relieved she was finally leaving her husband, paid for her plane ticket and picked her up from the airport. She met the director of the EDVP at an arranged location, and the director drove her to an emergency shelter, where she stayed for one month with her son.
The shelter was not a place to settle, but a place to help women make the break from their relationships and learn about local resources.
“I compare it to an emergency room,” Bridget said, whose bedroom had a red button that would dial the police. “It’s a secure feeling, but you’re always aware of your situation.”
At the shelter, she received bus tickets, food, counseling and learned about the Department of Social and Health Services and child advocacy groups.
Her son, then 3, had begun to verbalize the abuse he had experienced.
“My husband would tell him to go punch me,” Bridget said. “My son is so sensitive. I knew that for his sake I had to leave.”
With the help of the EDVP, Bridget moved to transitional housing and enrolled in Seattle Central Community College’s social and human services program.
Now, she has custody of her son and protection orders in place. She also has a 4.0 grade point average and a full scholarship for this year. Once she has her degree, Bridget said she wants to write grants and work in legal advocacy.
Cycle the WAVE
In April, Bridget spoke at an EDVP fundraiser, where she met Issaquah’s Anderson. Three years ago, Anderson combined two of her interests: the Rising Star Guild for the Eastside Domestic Violence Program and the Lakemont Ladies Cycling Club.
The result, Cycle the WAVE, debuted in 2008, with 253 riders raising $23,000. Last year, participation in the ride more than doubled, with 604 women fundraising $50,000.
Her goal for 2010 is 1,000 riders bringing in $100,000.
The ride — not a race — invites women to cycle 25, 40 or 62 miles. Women from the area, including Eastside Fire & Rescue and Issaquah schools, pedal throughout Issaquah for their sisters in need. Men and other volunteers can donate money or help on the course.
“I think being in an all-women’s ride is a great atmosphere,” Lakemont Ladies cyclist Linda Brummett, of Mercer Island, said.
Tina Martinez, of Sammamish, agreed.
“We’re women who can help women live the life they deserve,” she said.
Graham Hunter, owner of Veloce Velo Bike Shop in downtown Issaquah, has sponsored the ride since its inception. This year, he gave even more, donating a 24-speed Scott Speedster to Bridget for the ride. Cycle the WAVE surprised her with the bicycle during a TV interview with “New Day Northwest” on KING 5.
Bridget is still cycling on air, admiring her new bike.
“I’m one of eight kids, so I would always get the hand-me-downs,” she said. “This is my bike.”
If you go
Cycle the WAVE
Rides start between 7 and 9 a.m., Sept. 19
Tibbetts Valley Park
965 12th Ave. N.W.
$55 registration fee
$60 day of event
Laura Geggel: 392-6434, ext. 241, or lgeggel@isspress.com. Comment at www.issaquahpress.com.
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