by Isabel Fortune Martinez

It was just about a year ago that George Howard of Chicago, Illinois, and Gonzalo Valdovinas Gonzalez of Lazaro Cardenas, Michoacan, met at a barbecue in Ixtapa. Gonzalez, a young man in his twenties, handicapped by polio, is an enthusiastic bicycle racer who had hoped to enter the Special Olympics to be held next year in Atlanta, Georgia. Unfortunately, his hand-maneuvered bicycle did not fit his body right, nor did it handle well.

On hearing this, Howard, a retired businessman, decided to see what he could do about Gonzalo’s problem on his return to Chicago. After frequent communication with close friend, Pancho Aburto, of Lazaro Cardenas, regarding measurements and other necessary information to construct a hand powered racing bicycle, Howard swooped into Zihuatanejo airport last month in his private plane carrying a shiny yellow custom made racing bike for Gonzalez. The young man’s elation was a sincere joy felt by all those present.

“The boy deserves it, “ commented Howard, “He’s a nice young man and an athlete dedicated to his sport, regardless of his circumstances.”

Thanks to Howard’s generosity, Gonzalez will now race for Mexico in the upcoming Olympics in Atlanta in April. We look forward to hearing how he fares.

Howard is a long-time visitor to Zihuatanejo and a participant in numerous fishing events in Zihuatanejo and Lazaro Cardenas.

Hats off to Mr. Nice Guy!

Isabel Fortune Martinez, aka “Hostess with the Mostess” is a 30 year resident of Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo and can be found at Coconuts Restaurant.

November 2001

Contents | Previous | Next