Florida Teenager Lives His Low-Riding Dream

He overcomes being born with cerebral palsy:

Michael Merriman is a 17-year-old who has already faced more obstacles in his short life than most people do in a lifetime.

Michael was born with cerebral palsy. At 3 years old he underwent a radical surgery at the Shriners’ Hospital in Tampa to help him walk. Many physicians felt that this surgery would not help. But, Michael proved them wrong. This surgery became known as a “miracle surgery” to everyone in his life.

Like many other young people, Michael watched the latest movies. He also loved pro wrestling. One night a professional wrestler named Eddie Guerrero drove a strange-looking auto into the arena. It bounced, rolled and swayed its way to the ring.

From that point on, Michael could not get enough of the bright-colored, wild-moving machines.

….. Over the years, they have evolved into hydraulically operated, wildly gyrating show cars. Their owners spend most of their pay and the majority of their free time building, polishing and fine tuning them. They have entered mainstream America through auto shows and low-rider rallies.

Michael continued his love affair with the low-rider. Then one day, a friend at school told him of a low-rider club in Okeechobee called La Plebada. La Plebada not only had members with low-rider vehicles, but their club helped youngsters build low-rider bicycles for the show circuit.

Michael was welcomed into the club without question. His father, Walter Goggans, attended a meeting to make sure that Michael was becoming involved with a legitimate car club.

“When Michael first came to us about joining La Plebada, his mother (Vicki Goggans) and I were skeptical. I decided to attend a meeting to make sure that this was a legitimate car club,” said Mr. Goggans. “I was pleasantly surprised to see how well the club was run and how much attention was paid to the young children with low-rider bikes. Club members have helped Michael build his show bike. They have spent many hours working with Michael and have always made him feel welcome.”

Mr. Goggans found that they lived up to the meaning of their club name. According to club president Raphael Cancino, the best translation of La Plebada is “a simple group of people with a common goal, or just hard-working, everyday-type people who share a common love of something.”

In the case of the members of La Plebada, their common interest is low-rider vehicles and bikes.

As Michael’s bike began to take form, members of the community stepped forward to help him make it a true show bike.

“There are so many in the community who helped Michael that we can’t possibly thank each of them individually. Our family really appreciates what everyone has done for Michael,” stated Mr. Goggans.

Last year Michael entered his first low-rider competition. His bike took second place. This year the bike finished in first place in the semi-modified division.

Last weekend Michael returned to the Shriners’ Hospital that had given him the gift of mobility so many years ago. He and other members of La Plebada visited the hospital that specializes in children’s orthopedics to entertain its young patients.

Michael’s hope was to show the children that despite having a disability, they could still accomplish their dreams.

With the help of the members of La Plebada, Michael’s dream has come true.