Meet Ashley Williams Ferguson
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| Ashley and her cute helmet |
As we continue our series on amazing riders, we'd like to introduce you to Ashley Williams Ferguson. Ashley's story is very different from the first one in our series, but as you read her story, you'll see it has a powerful message.
Ashley's been around motorcycles for some time, in fact, her Dad was an avid rider. He didn't grow up riding but began his riding career around 2007 starting out on a scooter and then graduated to a larger scooter. Wanting something bigger and better, he worked his way up to a Honda Rebel and then on to a Shadow. His dream was to own a Harley Davidson one day. Ashley says, "I didn’t ride with him as I got married in 2007 and moved to Georgia, however, I always enjoyed the sound of a nice bike and thought they looked interesting." Ashley enjoyed riding horses and the freedom they afforded her, but thought motorcycles would provide her a different type of wind therapy.
Between 2010-2011, Ashley and Larry, started attending Union Baptist Church in Griffin. Ashley says God led them there since they'd been having trying times at a former church. At Union Baptist, they immediately felt at home and were invited to visit an adult Sunday School class. The class was good and during their time there, Ashley and her husband began to hear talk of the F.A.I.T.H. Riders class. They were interested in what they heard, but didn't join that class since neither of them had a motorcycle.
In April 2012, Ashley's family suffered a terrible tragedy. Ashley's father, George Williams, was killed in motorcycle accident about 5 miles from his home. While riding in traffic behind an SUV, another car caused a chain of events that caused Mr. Williams to unexpectedly have to swerve to avoid hitting the car in front of him. As he veered, his motorcycle hit the curb at a high rate of speed propelling his bike into the air where it flipped and collided with a utility pole. Ashley's father was rushed to the hospital but was unresponsive. Tests revealed a broken neck. Mr. Williams died shortly thereafter.
Ashley was overwhelmed at the loss of her father. Her Sunday School class rallied around her and provided loving support. After the accident, Ashley struggled to understand why her father was taken so abruptly and she found solace placing blame on motorcycles. Ashley felt her father's life might have been spared had he been in a car.
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| Their new Valkyrie trike |
Fear overtook Ashley. Whenever she would be on the road, if a motorcycle was near, she panicked. She was so nervous, if a motorcycle was behind her, she felt the need to pull over and let it pass. Ashley says, "If they were in front of me, I would pull over and let other cars pass me to get in between. I just couldn’t look or listen to one without breaking down. I prayed that God would give me strength. That He would help me learn to get over this fear of motorcycles."
Ashley was having a hard time and stopped going to Sunday School. It was too difficult for her and she felt upset with God at taking her father. Over time, Ashley and Larry returned to church and began to visit the F.A.I.T.H. Riders class. Alternating between their regular class and the biker class, they found love and acceptance with the F.A.I.T.H. Riders. They were grateful to Mike and Donna Shelnutt for inviting them to the class and convincing them that even though they didn't ride, they'd be accepted.
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| Ashley and Larry at an Abate swap meet |
As they participated in the F.A.I.T.H. Riders class, they began to attend events with them, too. Their first bike night was hard. According to Ashley, when she had to be around all those bikes. she "prayed beforehand for peace and by the time I got there I was actually interested in seeing them and seeing the games they played on them. By the end of the night, I was OK to walk around in between them and look at the differences. A few months went by with me attending bike nights and I was slowly getting more and more comfortable around bikes. I even had to pull out my camera the first time I saw a Honda Valkyrie. Prettiest bike I had seen come to a bike night."
Fate had it that on another bike night, a guest speaker had come to share about his biking accident. The rider was part of the group, Wheels of Faith. Ashley knew about the scheduled testimony and wasn't sure she was ready to hear it. Her father's accident was still fresh on her mind. Ashley says, "I delayed my arrival to bike night because I just wasn’t trusting God enough to carry me through. I wasn’t prepared when I arrived to see what I saw. The wrecked bike was a little too much for me. My fellow FR’s gathered around and helped me through. We also had a new visitor that night. A man on a Honda Shadow – the very same type of bike my father was killed on. I was like 'Really, God, this is what you think I’m ready for'... Little did I know, I needed it. He knew I needed and sent it right to me. I was forced to face a wrecked bike and a Honda Shadow. It finally clicked. It wasn’t the motorcycle that took my dad. God took him. He was finished on this earth. No matter what he was driving that day, God would have taken him. My father was saved, so I know where he is. I will see him again. It took this night for me to finally realize that."
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| Two happy riders |
From that night forward, Ashley's fear of motorcycles was gone. She no longer panicked while on the road if bikers were near, but always made sure to be cautious when they were around. Ashley and Larry continued attending F.A.I.T.H. Rider events and would take their cars (a Corvette or a Challenger) on rides and to the state rally. They became actively members of the group and met a couple who owned a trike. As soon as Ashley saw it, she was hooked. "The trike was awesome. I loved it," she said.
They went to Daytona for bike week and had the opportunity to share her story some with some bikers under the FR tent. "It was truly a blessing that God had brought me to this point. Once back in GA, my friends (and fellow FR’s) with the trike started asking if I wanted to ride it. I wasn’t to that point yet, however, God, again, had other plans for me."
Ashley was given the opportunity to ride her friend's trike. She was hesitant but got on. She did not ride at that time, but just sat in the seat enjoying the feel of the metal beneath her. Within the next few weeks, Ashley was was riding with her friend's husband, Tony on short distances. Larry, Ashley's husband, was thrilled and was so excited he went to get a motorcycle learner's permit. Their friends, Tony and Pam, continued to let Ashley and Larry test out their trike. After a few more rides, they were in love! It was almost time for Daytona Bike Week 2017. Ashley told her husband she'd like to find a Valkyrie trike because she loved the look of the Valkyries, but didn't think they'd find one. In Tampa, a Valkyrie trike was up for sale and it couldn't have come at a more perfect time. Larry had taken the Harley riding course and had finally gotten his motorcycle license. The couple purchased the trike and have been happily riding since.
Ashley and Larry see their purchase as a ministry. They want to use the trike to continue with the F.A.I.T.H. Riders and minister to others who may be struggling with fears of their own. Ashley says, "I love being able to ride with the wind in our faces. I love the sound of the bikes and trikes. I love the feeling of freedom. I feel closer to my dad now. I know why he loved riding so much. It’s amazing to look back on all of this and see the paths the Lord led us to take. I am forever thankful to the Faith Riders for being so patient with me on this journey. The Lord has carried me through all of this and allowed it all to happen."
Who would have thought that personal tragedy could be turned into a ministry tool, but that's exactly what happened. Ashley went from being a pew warmer at church to becoming an active participant. She went from being scared to be around the homeless in Griffin to helping out with a local food pantry and getting to know a lot of the homeless people. "FR has allowed me to become closer with my God and learn that you don't have to just sit in a church pew to feel His presence. It's more than just going to church. It's about getting out and spreading His word to any and everyone we come in contact with. FR has opened the door to so many people to learn about Christ because they aren't afraid to go into those scary crowds to do so. The bikes and trikes are just tools that Christ allows us to use to reach people others would shy away from," Ashley explained.
We're sure Ashley's father would be extremely proud of the person his daughter has become. The Bible tells us to always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have, and Ashley is certainly doing that. She's no longer afraid of bikes and is willing to take Christ with her wherever she goes. Thank you so much, Ashley, for sharing this powerful story and may God bless you in the days ahead as you continue to lead others to Christ.
"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hopethat you have." 1 Peter 3:15
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Meet Spyder Rider, Marie Klingensmith-Hood
An Amazing woman with a powerful story
When I sent out a Facebook post requesting motorcycle or Spyder riders to share their stories with me, I wasn't sure anyone would respond. I was interested in understanding more about bikers and their stories, why they rode, and how they made their decision to purchase specific bikes. My intention was to share special interest stories on our blog and allow riders to "meet" each other from all over our state. I was hopeful someone would share, but was doubtful. That's when an amazing woman named Marie Klingensmith-Hood responded. Marie's story is one of overcoming great challenges. I hope you'll take time to read her story and share it with others. Marie wants to bring awareness to the disease Pyoderma Gangrenosum but also wants others to know that despite daunting physical illness, there is still hope. She is living proof that a strong will, stronger faith, and determination to survive can make miracles happen.
In June 2014, after years of being uncomfortable, Marie Klingensmith-Hood went into the hospital for breast reduction surgery. At the time of surgery, she was unaware she had a rare autoimmune disease called Pyoderma Gangrenosum which would be discovered later. Marie says, "My sweet church family from First Baptist Church of Cleveland would visit and pray with me from my door until the diagnoses of P.G. was found. Then they could come sit with me." Pyoderma Gangrenosum is extremely rare affecting only one in 100,000. (Currently, there are only 7 people in the state of Georgia with this disease.) Marie's disease lay dormant until her surgery triggered it into full blown action.
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| Skin grafts from Marie's legs to cover the holes in her chest |
Four days after surgery, she started running a very high fever and started to bleed profusely from the incision sites on her chest. Her chest tissue was dying and the P.G. (Pyoderma Gangrenosum) was in the process of eating huge holes in her chest. She was immediately taken into surgery to remove the dying tissue. Within three days, Marie endured five surgeries to keep removing affected skin and tissue.
At the time of Marie's fifth surgery, her husband was informed by the hospital staff that it was time to gather the family together in order to say their goodbyes. They explained her odds of making it through the next surgery were very slim. Marie overheard the doctors and became hysterical. Her pastor from First Baptist Cleveland, Mike Davis, was called to come to the hospital. He was only allowed to talk to Marie from the doorway to her room because hospital staff wanted to protect her from unnecessary germs. Only her children and husband were allowed close access to Marie. Professionals from the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta were called in to assist with Marie's fifth surgery. After the procedure was completed, Marie was packed in ice to bring down a high fever and after seven long hours, she was returned to her hospital room where eager family members waited.
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| Marie's arm with many IVs |
Marie endured thirteen surgeries. She also underwent extensive skin grafts and spent a month in the hospital. During that time, she says she "was blessed to have such wonderful doctors who didn't give up on me, a supportive family who kept me going, and a loving, praying church family that helped give me strength."
After a few months post hospital, Marie was beginning to regain her strength. She says, "I would just look out in the garage and know in my heart that I would never be able to ride again and my doctors reaffirmed that for me when they explained that any trauma to my skin could send me right back to the hospital; that riding two wheels could be a death sentence even if I laid the back down on the road. A year later Can Am came to Gainesville doing their demo rides. I begged my husband to take me. After the test drive I was sure this would be the safest way I could ride by myself again. I convinced my doctors that I would be extra careful, but I was going to get a Spyder." Marie says she has been enjoying riding since that day. She even rides her Spyder to church on beautiful Sundays.
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| Recovering in the hospital |
Currently, there is no cure for Pyoderma Gangrenosum. Marie has also also developed aggressive Rheumatoid Arthritis. Every six weeks, she endures a 3 hour chemo infusion called Remicade. She also is given Methotrexate injections once a week along with other medications to keep her going. She's been told she will always be on some form of chemo or biological for the rest of my life. Marie says, "I will never be able to have any surgery that requires stitches or more. But I have faith that God let me live through all the pain and fear, all the surgeries, all the healing and physical therapy, to show me how strong I can be, how strong I have to be for my children." Marie feels her guardian angel is still trying to catch her breathe.
Although she lives in daily pain, Marie chooses to live in daily faith. She says God gave her another chance and she'll always be willing to share about her experiences. Marie credits her pastor, Mike Davis, and her Associate Pastor, Dennis Turner, in being instrumental in her ability to deal with extreme pain and throughout her healing process.
Thank you, Marie, for being willing to share your story with us! You are an amazing woman and an inspiration to those who may be facing their own health challenges today. Marie is an excellent example of the verse of Scripture found in 1 Peter 5:10 of the Holy Bible, "And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you."
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| Marie and her husband, David, today |
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| A strong and courageous woman |
If you, or someone you know, has an inspirational biker story to share, we'd love to hear from you! Send an email to ubcfaithriders@gmail.com.
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