Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Editor's note: The News asked readers to submit stories and photos from their dragging Main experiences, with winners receiving $100 prizes. Jason Gonzales won the photo contest with his front-page picture in this edition. Here is the winning essay:
I was born a premie at 7 months. I weighed 2 pounds, 5 ounces and went down to 1 pound, 8 ounces.
At a young age, my parents noticed I would fall a lot and I was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
I had surgery when I was 4, and after a lot of painful physical therapy to get better use of my legs, I started walking when I was about 5.
I still walk with a limp, and I still have my limitations. Riding a motorcycle was one of the most daring, exciting things I've ever done.
One of my cousins got me interested in riding. He took me on his and I loved it. So in 2015, I bought me one, brand new off the showroom floor. I had no clue if I'd even be able to ride it. But I practiced in the school parking lot and I took the safety course and I got my license.
Clovis always will have my heart. I went to school here and was a Clovis High graduate in 2002.
This town really helped my family to raise money to help pay for traveling expenses and a place for my parents to stay when I had spinal surgery.
Most of my family - grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins - live in this town.
I overcame cerebral palsy by having a strong will and my parents - Mike and Rose Martinez - were always my biggest fans. They are truly my heart and one of the many reasons I have never given up.
Today I am a mom of two sons and I'm engaged to my true love, Jeremiah Guerrero.
I met Jeremiah dragging Main Street in Clovis 18 years ago.
I was cruising down Main Street with some of my friends, and he was with one of his buddies. We were friends the next six months or so and then life happened and I got married. I never talked to him again until I saw him in a restaurant in Amarillo about four years ago.
We were both divorced by then. He said he saw me from across the room and noticed my smile and said, "Oh, my gosh it's her."
- Christie Martinez, Clovis