I had an accident during October 1996 that left me paralysed from the chest down.

At the time all thoughts of getting back on a bike again were thrown out of the window. Then as time went on, seeing other people out on their bikes enjoying the ride, I started missing it and quite liked the thought of getting back one, but I wanted two wheels not three.

I had read about someone who had managed to do this, but decided that I couldn't trust a system that relied on stabilisers to drop down whilst stopping. So the longing to get on the road again went on.

Then last year I bought an attachment to go on my wheelchair that basically turned it into a battery-powered trike, which meant I could go out with my family, on their pushbikes, and keep up with them. This I really enjoyed, and after a while I found it a bit tame and yearned for more power.

Then while watching TV I saw a programme about The Trikeshop (UK) and decided that maybe three wheels were an option, so off to Cardiff I went to see what they could do for me.

They informed me that they could do whatever adaptions I needed, on any bike I wanted. The adaptions that I needed were Klitronic Gear changer, a linked braking system, footplates with straps to keep my feet in place and a rack for the wheelchair. So I went home to think about what bike I would like. I decided on a VN 1500 Kawasaki, then I went back to Cardiff to arrange it.

When I got there they tried their dealer but it wasn't available, and after seeing a 1700 Yamaha Roadstar Warrior they had done, I wanted one of them, so the ball was set in motion.

Several months later I received the phone call I had been waiting for telling me that the Trike was ready for collection. After the third time of trying to find the place again, I was all strapped on, ready for the ride home. The first sixty miles were a bit daunting having been off the road for over six years, and I did find myself slipping around on the seat a fair bit, but after a stop at the inlaws for a BBQ, the last twelve miles home were fantastic as I managed to get my legs strapped in better and my bum stayed still, with more grins to the mile.

I would like to thank NABD for the grant, which helped me to get back on the road again.

This NABD grant of £400.00 was sponsored by a donation made by Mr P R Steele of Northern Ireland