Welcome to our newest forum!

[pcombe]

Great to hear everyone's stories especially to hear that in every case getting back in the saddle was a huge positive milestone for folks.

Paul I can relate to the family issue. They love you, they are scared for you and want to protect you, that's understandable. But, they are looking at your disability from the outside and they see a changed and maybe in their eyes, a less independent or able person and in the case of a heart attack a "sick" person. You understand your disability differently from the inside out. I knew that although some of my body was uncooperative or just plain useless, I still was the same person.

It took some time to get this over to family (not my wife who "got it" right away). They (most of them) now understand that it isn't the length of a life that's important it's the quality. We know our own limitations better than anyone else and most of us are not going to do anything stupid.

Keep working on them, let them come here and see these posts, they will hopefully come around.

I need to work out a way to carry my fly fishing gear, I didn't even wet a fly last year the weather was so poor.

All the best.

Dear tinbasher:
I looked up a local flyfishing club here in Casper.
It seems that they have a program where club members go out of there way to take dissabled fly fisherman out fish at least once a month in the warm season.
I volunteered to help in that program. It seems they have handicap accsess set up on private land. and the way i understand it they also have float trips on the platte river.
I have been told that the fishermen might make 20 hookups a day. Now that's not bad fishin!
It's just a way to give back a little and do some extra fishing myself.
I can't get out in the fast water anymore but i still manage to land a few.
A dead drift works great here but the slow water makes me work a little harder on cast accuracy.
Some times i trailor my flies( tying a wet fly on first and a dry fly behind it) so that i can fish different depths on the same cast.

[pcombe]

Ok-I will be first: I have more titanium in my lower right leg than the space shuttle, and am just falling apart in general! The majority of us are riding trikes due to age or disability. I still ride 2 wheels some of the time, but feel the day will come when I will ride 3 all the time.

I read with intrest your profile and see that you are located in Salt lake.
I grew up in Idaho and when i wore a younger mans clothes i got into a little trouble in salt lake.
Nothing serious mind you.
I had a couple of friends that once belonged to the sundowners M.C. and would accompany them to a few parties on second south in the city of saints.
I would like to tell you i had a great time and assumed that i did but it's hard to remember allot of it.
All part of ones miss-spent youth i guess?

Pcombe

[Ray Monroe]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I want to thank every one of you who have posted here, you guys are all a huge inspiration. There is not a single person here that cannot relate to and learn from your stories.

I should give special thanks to Ray Monroe who suggested this forum in the suggestion thread. I had kicked this idea around for quiet a while even before his suggestion but Ray PMed me, emailed me and called me non-stop until I had no choice but add this forum. The guy is persistent! Good call Ray.

Zook

Zook,
Thanks for the kind words and I hope I wasnt too much of a pain in the butt. In a few short days we have learned a lot about "persistance" and additude. I salute the folks in here that have proven that they refuse to be defined by a disability. Futhermore I give high marks to those of us that don't wrestle with a handicap but have empathy for those who have. The folks 'round these parts are as good as any forum that I have seen. I like "em some.

Ya done good, boss!
Ray

[pcombe]

Thanx Zook for starting this thread, and anybody that has been on here lately has seen my story several times, an I am right along withpmar6004 except with me I had to give up my CDL, which I had since I was 18. That meant giving up a career. And going from the bread winner to the a man that needs help. A huge step for me. Although I spent 2 years being sliced and diced, I am able to walk which I was 2 mm away from being paralysed from the neck down. I do have daily problems but I get huge support from my wife, I am welcomed by the Patriot Guard Riders, and once in awhile mother nature lets me actually ride my trike!

Had to give up my C.D.L. to. BUMMER!

[pcombe]

Great idea.

I guess my story might be of some interest.

I was a keen rider as a young chap. I owned some classic bikes which would be worth a pile if I still had them. Started on a little BSA Bantam graduating through a Triumph Tiger Cub ending with an AJS / Matchless 650 twin. Got married, got mortgage, got sensible!

Then in 85 while working in a shipyard I fell about 30ft from a submarine under construction and broke my back. I discovered trikes in the mid 90s then built a Mini Cooper automatic based trike. After retiring two years ago I bought my present trike BMW R1200c Grinnall conversion.

The adaptations I have are pretty simple. As I cannot reliably use my lower legs I have all hand controls. Gearchange is Klictronic push button, very similar to the US Pingel. Brakes are combined on the right handlebar lever operating through a proportioning valve. I have electric reverse fitted to get me out of those tight spots. Other simple things are footplates as I couldn't feel my feet on pegs, gel saddle so I don't damage my numb butt and a wheelchair rack for when I use my chair. I can also walk a little with braces so I sometimes ride with crutches instead.

The freedom this gives me is amazing, not just the freedom of the road but freedom to cast aside the expected stereotype imposed on disabled people of being limited and protected. Last year I rode home in the dark from North Yorkshire passing through small villages and over bleak moorland. I can still smell the wild garlic and the woodsmoke from the log fires as I approached the villages. The sound of laughter and voices from the little village pubs as I passed through (not passed by passed through). Stopped at a set of traffic lights I had a short conversation with two older ladies who wanted to climb on the pillion! The sheer joy of riding is one of the things that keeps me sane.

I often attract questions when folks realise I am disabled and I love to explain and promote the fact that disabled people can and do ride on both two and three wheels. I have recently joined the NABD the UK disabled riders organisation which is great charity and a mine of information and support for disabled people who want to return to or take up motorcycling (Motortrycling ???)

Happy to answer questions on anything.

I have been intrested in the gel saddle but wondered just how much difference it might make?
I beleive i seen a gel pad for sale on e-bay.

[Tinbasher]

I can't tell you if its any more comfortable because I can't feel it! I had the option to have it so I guess it's just a bit of extra protection. Keeping your skin in good condition can be a big worry for most paraplegics because it can take months on bed rest to heal even a small sore patch.

I certainly haven't had any signs of problems and I do check after riding.

[Ray Monroe]

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

My new friend Pmar covered a lot of ground and quite good. Unlike Paul, I did not have a wife to support me during my "trial". As a matter of fact, the gal who I was going with decided to leave when the stroke hit. What I did have were a multitude of friends from church, pickleball (google it), barbershop chorus, and recumbent bike riders. I was in a facility for 4 months and I went from having my kids gather around while I was on a ventilator for a week to walking out of that place albeit with a cane. The one constant was there was not a single day without a visitor; sometimes it was more than I wanted. What that effected was very little down time for me to wallow in sorrow and self pity. I wanted to get better; first for me, but also for all my friends who supported me, watched go thru therapy, sometimes fail miserably, comforted me when I had frequent crying spells (some were uncontrollable weeping), and offered praise when they saw baby steps toward improvement. I felt like I could not let them down. The number one factor in my rehab was my faith. Another BIG factor was the love and support of family and friends.

I plan to attend the TT rally in June. Ole Pmar and me are going to challenge you guys to a 3 legged sack race; and Paul and I won"t need the sack.
Thanks for you ear,
Ray

[slimfin]

This is a great thread. Some of us don't realise how great good health is. I for one think sometimes I am in bad shape with broken bones or surgeries,ect. When I see coments like this it makes me realise there are people in the world that has endured a lot more. My hat is off to all of you!!!!!!

[pcombe]

This is a great thread. Some of us don't realise how great good health is. I for one think sometimes I am in bad shape with broken bones or surgeries,ect. When I see coments like this it makes me realise there are people in the world that has endured a lot more. My hat is off to all of you!!!!!!

keep in contact bro!

[pcombe]

My new friend Pmar covered a lot of ground and quite good. Unlike Paul, I did not have a wife to support me during my "trial". As a matter of fact, the gal who I was going with decided to leave when the stroke hit. What I did have were a multitude of friends from church, pickleball (google it), barbershop chorus, and recumbent bike riders. I was in a facility for 4 months and I went from having my kids gather around while I was on a ventilator for a week to walking out of that place albeit with a cane. The one constant was there was not a single day without a visitor; sometimes it was more than I wanted. What that effected was very little down time for me to wallow in sorrow and self pity. I wanted to get better; first for me, but also for all my friends who supported me, watched go thru therapy, sometimes fail miserably, comforted me when I had frequent crying spells (some were uncontrollable weeping), and offered praise when they saw baby steps toward improvement. I felt like I could not let them down. The number one factor in my rehab was my faith. Another BIG factor was the love and support of family and friends.

I plan to attend the TT rally in June. Ole Pmar and me are going to challenge you guys to a 3 legged sack race; and Paul and I won"t need the sack.
Thanks for you ear,
Ray

Thought i would just drop a note:

Faith is a powerful force my friend.
Once i figured out i really wasn't invincible the raw spirituality of some of my friends and loved ones saw me past those weeks of hospital depression also.

I guess i have never been a very religious person in the classical sense of the word
But i have no doubt that there is a God and i'm not him.

It is only through greater humility that i have ever been able to summon enough faith and courage to see me through all adversity.
Adversity doe's not not have to equal chaos. I have a choice in the matter through free will?

I salute your faith!

Mine is simple:
I take all that is good and all that is bad in my life and hand it over to a power greater than myself, And all i ask for is that he make me into the man he wishes me to be.
I don't have to do any of that analysis to paralysis crap. I only have to be willing to alighn my will with his own.
It divorces me from depression about my condition and helps me to find other ways to compensate for not doing things quite the way i used to?
It is very seldom i get down in the dumps.
Sometimes life can be really grand!

[Charlie D]

Dear Zook, as you know I am now getting around with a walker but it will not stop me from riding my Stallion.. We will be in Ark. in June God willing.. One big inspiration was seeing JOE JENKINS AKA JJTriker riding his trike less than 2 months after having his leg replaced 2 years ago. When the time comes and the doctor says no more bike riding REMEMBER he said nothing about TRIKING Just keep doing.. Anyone going to MaggieValley N.C. stop at Wheels through Time Museum and have Dale or Matt show you the old Harley with wheelchair adaptation dating back to the 1930's... Damn Good topic .

[Charlie D]

Thanks Ray Monroe & Pmar6004 Keep up the good work pepper

[Nextbite]

Amazing, and inspiring stories here. Thanks for sharing your story. I've had two neck operations, and still have severe spine problems mainly affecting my right side. I hurt all the time, but find the best therapy I have ever done is riding. I got my HD Tri-Glide for I couldn't hold up a two wheel bike. I used to just sit in my recliner, watch tv, and I think just going down hill. Since I have got my bike, it has made me a lot more active in doing mods on it, riding, just tinkering most of the time. I told my wife the other day about when I'm riding, I don't think about my pain at all. So this has been a Godsend for me, it keeps me active, and have something to look forward to in the future. Ride safe...

[Las Vegas Biker]

Wow. A great forum.
Im not even in the same catagory as some here. I have one half of my heart still working ,thanks to a couple of heart attacks, cancer, copd and a lack of good sense. Like the others I will not stop riding my Stallion thus i am heading with my wife to Cabo San Lucas in about 23 more days. Just cant see a reason not to do it.
One side note that I am sure some have had happen to them and that is the fact that most people cant accept the fact that some of us can and do use the Handicapped space (I hate that term).
Anyway keep rideing.
Terry

[CCrider]

This is such a great forum and you guys are the best. I have been dealing with COPD for a few yrs. and had been able to just do oxygen at home and at night. But this past yr, the doctor said Oxygen 24/7/365 or your going to be pushing up daisies sooner then you think. I chose to use the 12vdc portable oxygen concentrator over tanks of oxygen because we travel a lot and I din want to have to be on the look out for a oxygen supplier all the time. The concentrator separates the oxygen from the air and delivers it to me via a nasal cannula. it has a internal battery but is only good for about an hour max. So I have added 12vdc accessory outlets to the rear upper trunk of my Goldwing Trike, and carry the concentrator on the luggage rack so it has access to plenty of fresh air. I have a cheap dollar store dish pan that I flip upside down over it to protect it from rain. The whole thing is held in place by bungee cords and really isn't all that noticeable. I can snort O2 at 70 mph with no problem at all. LOL
Links below show how I mounted it.

I also have fitted 12vdc accessory outlets on my lawnmower, farm tractor, Honda four-wheeler, bull dozer, backhoe and stump grinder. COPD has slowed me down, but it definitely has not stopped me. I just recently rigged a 12vdc deep cycle trolling motor battery in a carrying case with a 12vdc outlet to serve as a power source for my concentrator when in areas away from home or vehicles,,,,,, IE laying on the beach soaking up the sun or sitting on the river bank fishing while spending winters in south east Florida. I read your stories and feel so blessed. Thanks to all who have shared on this topic so far.

http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/o...erforOx001.jpg
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/o...erforOx004.jpg
http://i356.photobucket.com/albums/o...erforOx006.jpg

[pcombe]

For your Info.

pepper
Say i noticed some folks talking about oxygen needs?
Check out www. inogen.

I have an Inogen G-2 portable concentrator (seperates oxygen from the air)
It is small, quiet, weighs 10 lbs. and delivers oxygen on demand.
It also has a sleep mode so that if i forget to breath after 60 sec. it forces air at me.
It goes up to six liters.

It comes with a household batt. charger, an automotive charger ( you can use it while it charges) and two batterys that at setting one last five hrs, apeice.
It comes with a carry pouch also a small cart to set it on. I can strap the whole outfit to the bike no problem because of it's its small size.

I bought an extra battery because my old tour glide cant keep up with the concentrator and run headlights at the same time.
I can get a long ways down the road in 15 hrs.

I find when im on the bike that i can turn down the liter output.
I don't why? (Ram air induction to the old nostrils?)

Medicare will cover the costs, also private ins,
I found that i had to get the home concentrator from inogen also because ins, wouldn't pay for two oxygen poviders.
No big deal! I havent had any problems with their products or the company.

[pcombe]

Wow. A great forum.
Im not even in the same catagory as some here. I have one half of my heart still working ,thanks to a couple of heart attacks, cancer, copd and a lack of good sense. Like the others I will not stop riding my Stallion thus i am heading with my wife to Cabo San Lucas in about 23 more days. Just cant see a reason not to do it.
One side note that I am sure some have had happen to them and that is the fact that most people cant accept the fact that some of us can and do use the Handicapped space (I hate that term).
Anyway keep rideing.
Terry

Hah- Hah! Are you trying to tell me a good part of this is the high cost of low living?
That sure had somthing to do with my condition.
You sound like your in the same boat i am?
Ride on my friend!
Best wishes
P.S check out my posting on the oxygen concentrator, I had to give up my CDL license and they gave me a handicap sticker in its place.
I still haven"t come to grips with it.

[pcombe]

pepper
According to our good friend zook and the effecincy of united parcel service i should receive my raked tripple trees on friday and i can finally get started converting my old wolf in sheeps clothing, Harley into to the trike he is destined to become.


I take a blood thinner because of my heart condition so it seems that my skin is not so thick anymore and bleeds like i have been terribly mutilated by some vile animal.
So i expect my friends and familey upon walking into the garage to check on my progress will think my dogs turned on me?
The dogs of course may see hamburger in the making?

I will have to move my big oxygen concentrator out to the shop.
My youngest daughter, has as sick a sense of humor as her old man and told me that just for laughs she may come out and help me try to do this work so she can see me try do this job with an oxygen hose in the nose, because she may want to make trike conversion into a special olymipic event?

(lord what have i raised?) But at least she can laugh with me about it now day's. Thats a hell of allot better than seeing her cry old son!
(I'm a dad and therefore weakend by such carrying on, every one of my girls used that against me over the years. They also taught me the meaning of P.M.S.? -- That stands for, (PAUL MUST SUFFER!)
I have no aversion to getting even though, i may have the chance to one day make her dig post holes in rocky ground on a 90 degree day if she comes home from college on a weekend with a hangover? My daddy did it to me! The apple never falls to far from the tree?

perhaps it will give me a chance to heal before the back end kit arrives in a few weks and i can start all over again?
Gives a new meaning to blood,sweat and tears?

Wish me strength my friends!
P.s. Tinbasher:
I took your advice and let my daughter see these postings. Thanks

[pcombe]

clapping
You know just as an after thought i may invite her boy friend to visit for the weekend on those 90 degree day's and put him to work on those post holes?
That just might be a bigger deterent than my old twelve gauge?

[americanbadass]

I read with intrest your profile and see that you are located in Salt lake.
I grew up in Idaho and when i wore a younger mans clothes i got into a little trouble in salt lake.
Nothing serious mind you.
I had a couple of friends that once belonged to the sundowners M.C. and would accompany them to a few parties on second south in the city of saints.
I would like to tell you i had a great time and assumed that i did but it's hard to remember allot of it.
All part of ones miss-spent youth i guess?

Pcombe

Just noticed this...I rode with the Sundowners for many years. I woke up about 10 years ago, right about the time my first grand daughter was born. It wasn't just her birth that made me stop, but I have had custody of her since she was born..pretty much.

That lifestyle really took a toll on me physically, and within a few years of quitting the Sundowners, I quit drinking and started to go to bed at night. If I would not have ended that....I am sure I would be pushin up Daisy's now. I am not above having a few drinks even now...but moderation is good for me. There is a story I wrote in the "how did you get your screen name" thread ...that pretty much explains the lifestyle I led.