Hello Everyone,
I promised Ray, who previously told his story, that I'd participate in this "new" forum, when or if the organizers thought it had interest, value or merit to the rest of its members. Since I'm not new to Trike Talk and have previously shared bits and pieces of my story earlier when I first introduced myself and on some previous posts, I won't repeat myself and promise to be brief. Like Ray, my stroke affected my right side, however with months and months of rehab., physical, occupational and speech therapy, I was able to regain many of my abilities, which the therapists refer to one's ADLs (activities of daily living: eating, dressing, transporting, toileting, bathing...) Fortunately, my stroke wasn't as severe as it could have been, per my MRI results, so I guess I can postpone my introduction to a nursing home a little while longer. My biggest struggle was not physical but emotional. To have to give up riding my motorcycle, one of the passions in my life for 50+ years, was totally devastating to me, or at least I thought so. If it wasn't for my lovely wife Pam, who had the task of being my caregiver, without her love, patience and understanding, I'm sure that I would have given up, given up on life in general. It was through her encouragement and support that she convinced me to look for a way to regain my passion and to feel the "wind on my face" again. Since I have very limited control of my right arm and hand, yet I could still drive a car, I had to look for a trike that had controls similar to that of a car. Enter the Stallion...(thank you TMS!) As they say, "the rest of the story is history", including making it possible to attend my first TT/T.O.I. rally, Rally In The Valley, Maggie Valley, NC, last year. In closing, I want to thank again Trike Talk and its coordinators, organizers and volunteers, for giving me an opportunity to share my story and a place to fellowship. I hope to read about others who are physically challenged, to share their stories, as well. To my many friends that I've made on TT and to those I have yet to make, God Bless and Ride Safe...Daydreamer