Dear Friends,

On Saturday, September 19, I will be participating in BIKE HSS to benefit Hospital for Special Surgery.

Musculoskeletal issues are among the leading causes of disability, affecting more than one in two adults in the US. Funds raised through BIKE HSS will accelerate HSS's efforts to:

• Advance life-changing care at HSS and worldwide
• Pioneer innovative surgical techniques for the most complex orthopedic and rheumatic conditions
• Drive groundbreaking research for new treatments

I am participating for every person who suffers from a musculoskeletal condition, because movement, health, and wellness matter more than ever.

For almost my entire life, I've been active. I started skiing at 10, played tennis, hiked across much of the world — including Antarctica and Patagonia — and competed in AKC Obedience for over 16 years with one of the top Maltese dogs in the country.

Then, slowly, my knees began to give out. After 45 years of skiing, I had to stop. Tennis went next, then hiking. Eventually even dog training became a struggle. For over six months before I finally decided on surgery, I could barely walk.

I'd already had three prior knee surgeries and tried gel shots and PRP for years, but I still had so much I wanted to do — travel the world with my husband, hike, bike, ski, and get back to training and competing with my dogs. So I decided to fix my knees for good.

Three different people referred me to the extraordinary Dr. David Mayman — also our BIKE HSS team captain. On February 3rd, I had my right total knee replacement. Just 3.5 months later, on April 21st, I had my left. I'm still a work in progress, but I'm on my way back to everything I love. Riding with Dr. Mayman on September 19th feels like the perfect way to celebrate the new life he helped give me.

Please consider a donation to my page. Together, we can help restore mobility and hope to patients around the world who rely on HSS.

Thank you so much,

Leslie
Another of Mayman's Bionic Women