I N T E R V I E W With a Dirt Biker-- Justin Cude
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Dirt Bike Rider, Survivor and Inspiration!
Justin Cude is a cancer survivor. On February 11, 2003, this thirteen-year-old and his family received the news that AML Leukemia raged in his body. Today he is cancer free, and he gives God all the credit for healing him. You will find photos and the story of his experience at www.justincude.com.
Justin also rides dirt bikes, a sport he missed for almost two years while enduring pain, nausea, vomiting and weakness from chemo and a bone marrow transplant. He is riding again and he agreed to answer some questions.
Q: Justin, who influenced you to get into dirt biking, and how long have you been riding?
A: My cousin Rocky influenced me. We started by watching motocross videos. My passion just developed from there. I have been riding for 3 years now, on and off. It feels like more off than on because of my illness. I received my first bike for Christmas of 2002. It was a Honda XR-100. I was diagnosed with leukemia only six weeks after receiving it, so I didn't get a chance to develop my riding skills the way I had hoped.
Q: Why is dirt biking your favorite sport?
A: I just love it. I love the competition and the thrill of riding. Motocross is the one sport that I enjoy.
Q: Tell us about the kind and size of bikes you have owned.
A: My first bike was the Honda XR-100 that I have already mentioned. The bike that I presently have is a Yamaha YZ 85.
Q: Who are your riding buddies?
A: I ride with my friend Joey Dmuchouski. I catch up with others at the track.
Q: Do you wrench your own bike?
A: Yes, I do all the mechanical tune-ups. I try to learn everything I can so that I can wrench my own bike.
Q: What do you feel like when you start a jump and realize you won’t make it airborne?
A: When I start a jump and realize, mid-air, that I am not going to make it, I send up a fast prayer for help. I ask God to keep me safe and if I should crash, that He would keep me from injury. Then I just hold on tight and ride it out.
Q: Tell us about a life-threatening moment when you knew you wouldn’t land right.
A: It was a really windy day. My backend blew around and I landed sideways. I crashed. I haven't had a severe life-threatening experience where it caused bodily injury, though.
Q: What do you look for when choosing a track?
A: I look for the technical aspects of the track. I like alot of jumps, some whoops, step ups, step downs and some doubles.
Q: Do you have reservations about a certain track? What is your feeling as you start to pull in there?
A: Yes, sometimes I do have reservations. If the track is not set up the way I prefer, I'm disappointed but I ride anyway.
Q: Have you ever competed, and how do you feel about that?
A: No, I have not competed yet. My doctors will not allow it until I am in better condition physically.
Q: Is there someone you can’t wait to race against? Why?
A: R.C. (Ricky Carmichael). I admire him. He is a great rider. I want to get out there and beat him.
Thank you, Justin, for taking time to answer these questions for us. I’m impressed with your testimony, and also your grammar, spelling and well organized sentences. Way to go, Justin!
Below: Justin Cude photo taken from video presentation.
Justin also rides dirt bikes, a sport he missed for almost two years while enduring pain, nausea, vomiting and weakness from chemo and a bone marrow transplant. He is riding again and he agreed to answer some questions.
Q: Justin, who influenced you to get into dirt biking, and how long have you been riding?
A: My cousin Rocky influenced me. We started by watching motocross videos. My passion just developed from there. I have been riding for 3 years now, on and off. It feels like more off than on because of my illness. I received my first bike for Christmas of 2002. It was a Honda XR-100. I was diagnosed with leukemia only six weeks after receiving it, so I didn't get a chance to develop my riding skills the way I had hoped.
Q: Why is dirt biking your favorite sport?
A: I just love it. I love the competition and the thrill of riding. Motocross is the one sport that I enjoy.
Q: Tell us about the kind and size of bikes you have owned.
A: My first bike was the Honda XR-100 that I have already mentioned. The bike that I presently have is a Yamaha YZ 85.
Q: Who are your riding buddies?
A: I ride with my friend Joey Dmuchouski. I catch up with others at the track.
Q: Do you wrench your own bike?
A: Yes, I do all the mechanical tune-ups. I try to learn everything I can so that I can wrench my own bike.
Q: What do you feel like when you start a jump and realize you won’t make it airborne?
A: When I start a jump and realize, mid-air, that I am not going to make it, I send up a fast prayer for help. I ask God to keep me safe and if I should crash, that He would keep me from injury. Then I just hold on tight and ride it out.
Q: Tell us about a life-threatening moment when you knew you wouldn’t land right.
A: It was a really windy day. My backend blew around and I landed sideways. I crashed. I haven't had a severe life-threatening experience where it caused bodily injury, though.
Q: What do you look for when choosing a track?
A: I look for the technical aspects of the track. I like alot of jumps, some whoops, step ups, step downs and some doubles.
Q: Do you have reservations about a certain track? What is your feeling as you start to pull in there?
A: Yes, sometimes I do have reservations. If the track is not set up the way I prefer, I'm disappointed but I ride anyway.
Q: Have you ever competed, and how do you feel about that?
A: No, I have not competed yet. My doctors will not allow it until I am in better condition physically.
Q: Is there someone you can’t wait to race against? Why?
A: R.C. (Ricky Carmichael). I admire him. He is a great rider. I want to get out there and beat him.
Thank you, Justin, for taking time to answer these questions for us. I’m impressed with your testimony, and also your grammar, spelling and well organized sentences. Way to go, Justin!
Below: Justin Cude photo taken from video presentation.
POSTSCRIPT:
On September 12, 2005, Justin returned to the hospital with a mysterious respiratory illness that hit him hard and fast. He was on life support (life support!!!) for over a week with double pneumonia. The doctors performed an emergency open lung biopsy that left huge scars on his chest and back. They decided his body was rejecting the bone marrow they had implanted in 2004 to help cure the leukemia. No one was sure he would live. His family and friends prayed hard; Justin fought hard; and God answered by healing him once again. He is home now and recovering well. If you have a message for Justin, you can contact him through his JUSTIN CUDE WEBSITE . Or, send EMAIL .