Get your motor running

GRANT COUNTY — Residents of two Grant County rehabilitation centers celebrated National Nursing Home Week on motorcycles.

Brothers of the Third Wheel and Unchained Brotherhood brought motorcycles Tuesday to McKay Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Soap Lake. On Thursday, they brought motorcycles to SunBridge Care & Rehabilitation in Moses Lake.

A three-wheel motorcycle was offered to residents so they could give rides to passengers in celebration of National Nursing Home Week. Washington State Director for Brothers of the Third Wheel Mike Moore sat in the driver's seat.

"Tuesday I had an 87-year old woman on the back," Moore said.

Moore said a man in his 80's started crying as he gave him a ride on the motorcycle. When Moore stopped to find out what was wrong, he learned the man was filled with joy.

"All he said was, 'Four years ago I got in a car wreck.' He says, 'They didn't think I'd make it. I never thought I'd be on the back of a motorcycle,'" Moore said.

SunBridge Care and Rehabilitation resident Nels Mikkelson, 81, rode on the motorcycle Thursday. Mikkelson estimated his last motorcycle ride was 10 to 15 years ago.

"I used to ride a bike to work all the time," Mikkelson said. "It felt good."

All week SunBridge offered events in celebration of National Nursing Home Week. An Academy Awards day, barbecue and live entertainment were scheduled for today.