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In 1998, when the arthritis got too much, I had my right hip replaced. Great success, apart from I still couldn’t bend my right leg back far enough to use the brake without a steady ache. Every 20 miles or so, I’d have to stop and walk about like ‘Mr Bean’.
Life carried on until June 2001, when I suffered a major stroke down my left side. This little diamond left me paralysed down my left side and in a wheelchair for about a year.
My partner Carol (all of 5’ 1”) pushed me around and if I hadn’t got out of the wheelchair, she would have had arms like Arnold Schwarzenegger. With lots of hard work, I’m now walking with the help of my best mate, ‘Stick’.
I thought my biking days were over, until I talked to Steve at Trikecraft, Weeley, Essex (01255 8302248); he told me about the NABD.
After reading Open House (a great mag!), I took the plunge, thanks to all at the NABD, my trike is now on the road. Back support was easily sorted out (what’s good enough for a tractor driver is good enough for me) when money’s available, I’ll have them covered, but they’ll do nicely for now.
After fitting the Kliktronic gearchanger, another problem was the braking. Steve fitted footrests to my measurements and adjusted the bake pedal so I only have to straighten my leg slightly and use my heel to brake.
Life begins again and we’re looking forward to the summer. I’d like to say a few big thank-you’s, especially to everyone at NABD, Kliktronic for a great invention, and thanks to Steve at Trikecraft for letting me pay by instalments for all the other work he carried out. Finally a big thank you to my partner Carol, without her sheer bloody-mindedness, I might still be in the wheelchair.
There’s only one thing to do now and that’s help NABD raise more money to help other riders. So if you’re in Essex on the second Tuesday of every month, come along to the Essex NABD meetings held at the Fox, Rivenhall; Sean Edwards the Essex Rep will be pleased to see you along with the rest of us.
Ride free and be safe. John Boulton
This NABD grant of £550.00 was sponsored by The Autumn Nabd’ness 4 Rally
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