Albany, Oregon -- 11/25/2010
Photo - Body Smith, 5, the reigning Oregon state champion in his age group on
the BMX track shows off his bike at his Albany, Ore., home Oct. 11, 2010. Smith
has over come phsical limitations brought on by the meth and cocaine that were
in his system at birth.
When Brody Simm finished his go-cart race at the state fairgrounds a little over a
month ago, he didn't have time to savor his effort or even find out how well he did.
Brody was out of his cart and hustling to the BMX track for another race.
Jumping from go-carts to BMX bikes is something Brody does on a regular basis,
just not usually on the same day. Brody made it to the BMX track on time and
secured another trophy. That's something else he does on a regular basis.
Brody, 5, is reigning state champion in his age group on the BMX track, having
won the title in Grants Pass last month. The trophy is almost as tall as he is and
brought his total to 39 in just over a year of racing.
The fact that he took to bikes so young is an amazing accomplishment in itself.
Brody, the adopted son of Edward and Monica Simm of North Albany, is still fighting
to overcome the physical limitations brought on by the meth and cocaine that were
in his system at birth.
"He was only a little over 3 pounds when he was born," Ed Simm said.
"His lungs weren't fully developed and he has some learning disabilities."
The Simms have worked diligently to improve Brody's status. Regular exercises have
been a part of his life since he was a baby, along with weekly visits to the doctor.
Slowly he is progressing, and his love for racing has helped accelerate his improvement.
"He didn't walk until he was 2, but he was riding a trike,"
Ed remembered. "At 3 he was on a bike without training wheels."
A year later Brody was on his first BMX track in Salem, winning trophies almost
immediately. He advanced from Novice to Intermediate level races in just eight
months. One more main event win will move him up to Expert level, which will
put him in competition with older racers.
It doesn't seem to phase him. He likes to win.
"Winning the race is the most fun," says Brody, who still carries
only 38 pounds on his frame. "I like passing people too."
He's passed his share, and he goes all out when he's on the track despite lingering
physical problems. His hips and neck muscles are not fully developed and he still has
issues with breathing.
Every Thursday he's at the doctor's office to get three shots. He uses an inhaler
before every race and his parents carry an EpiPen auto-injector just in case he
encounters a problem at the race track.
"We haven't had to use it yet," Ed said.
Nonetheless, a cold can easily lead to pneumonia,
which he gets three or four times a year.
With all this going against him, do his parents worry when he's on the track?
"Not really," Ed said. "He has a protective vest that's almost like body armor,
plus padded pants and a helmet."
Brody has had just a couple of spills and only one put him out of action.
He sat out for two weeks but didn't stop training.
Because of his size, Brody races a specially made lightweight bike
put together by Santiam Bikes in Salem, one of his sponsors.
On the go-cart track, Brody is just getting started. He's always the youngest driver
in his class but managed to finish seventh in point standings at his home track in
Lebanon.
It's bike racing that is most important to Brody. He's always riding.
After kindergarten at Albany Christian School, he comes home and
rides in the neighborhood.
"He even wants to ride his bike after a race," Ed noted.
The Simms use the bike as a reward for Brody. If he acts up at school
they may take the privilege away, but that doesn't happen very often.
Brody has a lot friends at school and on the race track.
He is close with his 6-year-old sister, Angel, also adopted.
"They watch out for each other," Ed said. "They get along really well."
Although Ed says there are still question marks in Brody's
development there have been many people encouraging the family.
BMX riders and their families have been especially supportive. Adam Treadwell,
a coach at the Salem BMX track, taught Brody to listen for the cadence at the
start of races since Brody is partly colorblind and can't recognize the color
changes on the starting lights.
"All the support is amazing," Ed said. "But it's been totally rewarding
for us just to be with him. We're lucky to have him in our lives."
CC - The Associated Press ( AP ) News Wire.
* http://www.kval.com/sports/local/110436574.html
