About Me

Profile

About: Visit my website!

http://2015texas4000.wix.com/riacho

Hello! My name is Ria and yes, that is ‘air’ spelled backwards. I was born in the busy city of Seoul, South Korea and immigrated to the States when I was 2 years old. My dad selflessly brought my sister and me to America so that we could have a chance at better futures and be able to chase whatever dream we imagined. Since I came to this country at such a young age, I developed English as my first language and am still struggling to grasp my native language (but nothing a few kdramas can’t fix). My childhood was spent as an awkward, chubby, shy girl who just wanted to become the next famous singer. In middle school, I went through the cliché emo phase and decided that black was the only color I was allowed to be seen in. Thankfully, I got involved in sports and found my true niche within the band and different athletic teams.
In high school, my life essentially revolved around band and academics. I dabbled in about every organization that was available to me, but the major ones were Student Council, National Honor Society, band, and powerlifting. I did cross country my sophomore year, but even I couldn’t balance the time conflicts that came with being in that and marching band. I like to believe that as the years went on, I grew as a person – not just physically, but emotionally as well. I shed off a fair amount of the extra pounds from being active in athletics, and I also learned how to develop confidence, juggle different aspects of my life, and lead.
Now that I've transitioned into my college years here at UT, I can say that it has been one amazing experience so far. I joined a spirit group called the Longhorn Hellraisers, and they have become my second family. My experiences with them can only be described as a crazy adventure, and I cannot be more thankful for their friendship and support. Even though I'm just a freshman, I have fallen in love with this university and I'm not afraid to express my school pride to everyone I meet. Through UT, I was able to join Texas 4000, which has been one of the best decisions of my life. The people I've met through it are the most wonderful and selfless human beings that you can imagine, and being among them makes me want to become an even better person myself. My teammates each have their own unique stories, and I'm proud to be able to ride with them. As I continue on this journey, I hope to be able to connect with more people and to give them strength.

Why I Ride

If you asked me two years ago about joining an organization in which the members rode from Austin to Alaska for cancer, I would have laughed and thought it was a joke. To me, having cancer was an unfortunate situation, but I couldn’t grasp what it really meant to be touched by it. It wasn’t until a little more than a year ago that I truly got to see what it was like to experience the effects of cancer on a daily basis and wake up from my ignorance.
In July of 2012, my dad was diagnosed with gastric cancer. At first, when my mom came home from the emergency room crying, I didn’t know how to react. That night, the paramedics told us that my dad had probably just pulled a muscle, which was why he was in such pain from his back. However, once my mom told me why she was crying, I couldn’t help my own tears. How could my dad, my hero, have such a destructive disease? It seemed like some sick joke. But no, my dad really did have cancer, and what’s worse – he was diagnosed late. From there, my family began our long journey of fighting my dad’s cancer, and experienced many hardships along the way.
My dad was one of those people who you met, and just immediately liked. His easy-going personality and charisma was known throughout the community, and he always made time to build relationships with people. I’ve often been told that I remind people of him and how easily he made friends, and to me, that is one of the best compliments anyone has ever given me. However, my dad was an alcoholic until my junior year in high school, but he never hurt anyone except himself. Even though he would get angry easily and yell at my sister and me often, I never felt like he was a monster. Yes, the alcohol affected him, but his character never changed. The proudest moment I had was when he finally sobered up and became 100% alcohol free. You could definitely tell the difference that made, and I am so thankful I got to share my last months with him being sober the entire time. I remember the long nights at the hospital and nursing home where he couldn’t sleep and so we just spent time together. It was exhausting and painful to see him suffer so much, but the small smiles and happy moments made it worth it. Even during the last month, when I had to change his diaper and help him walk from his bed to the wheelchair, I never once resented him for it. I cherished every moment with him, no matter what we were doing, and it’s those late nights where it was just the two of us that I really miss.
When my dad passed away after his six-month long battle with cancer this past June, it felt as if my whole world had collapsed. He spent his whole life working to provide a comfortable life for my sister and me, and yet he had to suffer through this awful illness. I kept blaming myself for all the times I chose to go out with friends rather than spend time with him, and I regretted taking him for granted. I also had to face the fact that my dad would never be able to yell at me for being out too late again, see me graduate, or walk me down the aisle. They’re not joking when they say you never realize how blessed you are until you lose someone precious in your life.
It took me a week to stop crying, and another month to be able to eat regularly again. I’m still in the process of mourning and even now, it’s difficult for me to type this without tearing up. However, I’m willing to share my story so that others who relate to my story can see that it is possible to go through a tragedy and still have hope. Just because my dad died doesn’t mean I have to stop living. If anything, it gives me more of a reason to live my life to the fullest.
I ride to spread awareness about this evil disease called cancer. I ride to spread hope to those who are battling with this terrible illness. I ride for everyone who has been affected by cancer. I ride for everyone who has lost a loved one to cancer. I ride for the survivors who inspire me to be strong regardless of what mountain I’m facing. I ride for those who can’t. I ride for my aunt who is currently fighting against lymphoma. I ride for my dad who fought fiercely against gastric cancer til the very end and who taught me how to love unconditionally. I ride for an end to this horrible sickness. I ride for a cure.