Five years ago I was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis in my hands and feet. For the first twelve months, the drugs kept it in check, but my health went slowly downhill, and in 1997, my wife was offered a new job in the Isle of Man (Bikers Heaven!). This meant I was able to give up my job, and we moved to the Island in February 1998.

By now, riding the bike was starting to become painful, if I had to ride in bad weather, or go any distance. Anyway, four years down the line, after various cocktails of medication (none of which were any use) I had a bike sitting on the drive like a garden ornament, and I'm climbing the walls because I can t ride.

Then I met Vic, (NABD's ex adaptions officer), who had recently moved to the Island. One night in the pub, he asked if I'd thought of applying to NABD for a grant to get me back on the road. I applied, and a few weeks later, a Kliktronic gear shifter arrived in the post. Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou!

After hitting some problems with the fitting, the least of which were doing it in the middle of winter in the driving rain and gale force winds (typical Manx weather), I was back on the road! The Kliktronic is a dream to use, now I've got the hang of it. Since we completed the fitting in February this year, I've done more miles than in the previous two years. Happy days!

I'd just like to thank NABD for their generosity and help, Vie for his expertise and help fitting it, Bob at Kliktronic for his advice, and finally Billy Big Beard for his patience in waiting for this report (slacker aren't I). Ride safe.

This NABD grant of £250.00 was sponsored by donations in memory of David Lees