My name is John Hesp. I have always been a biker. There has never been a time in my life when I did not ride.

About seven years ago I found I could not lift my right leg very well and was often incredibly fatigued for no reason at all. My job then was an engineer and I found I was losing my sense of touch when trying to fiddle with nuts and bolts and was starting to fall over (without drink!). I was diagnosed as having Multiple Sclerosis. I had to give my job up but I still had my biking.

Since this time however, my balance has got to the point where it was affecting my biking. I was alright when I was on the bike, but when I stopped I no longer felt confident enough to hold the bike upright. The crunch came when I dropped my bike and did not have the physical strength to pick it up. 'Time to think again' I thought.

Earlier this year I went with my wife to the Bike Show held at the Excel Centre in London and came across a stall all about N.A.B.D. We were both very impressed by the guy there who took his time to talk to us about various adaptions that had been carried out for bikers with disabilities and this sowed the seed. He gave us some literature which I later read and re-read.

I was thinking of ways and means where I could possibly keep on biking and telephoned Billy for advice. He was brilliant! He sent me a list of companies who specialised in side car and/or trike conversions and I set about ringing round and talking through the problem and came to the conclusion that adding a side-car to my bike would be the answer. This is where Unit Sidecars Ltd came in. Dougal was the man! He suggested a visit to his workshop where he could show me the type of conversions he did. As my bike is only a 500cc, he recommended a smaller side-car that would be big enough to carry a wheel-chair, should I need to, or the wife if she was brave enough!

I applied to N.A.B.D. for a grant and was thrilled to receive one towards the cost. The fitting of a sub frame and 'midget' side-car then commenced and I collected it this week. After a trial practice on a nearby airfield I rode home. It will take a bit of getting used to but what a wonderful feeling. No more worrying about my balance!

I cannot thank N.A.B.D. and Unit Sidecars Limited enough for their help. With luck I should be able to carry on biking for many years to come.

John Hesp

This NABD grant was sponsored by donations in memory of David Smart, and Thomas McAllister.