Pedaldog. Life before April 1996 doesn't really matter other than to say I was doing okay most of the time and made the usual mistakes, had the usual lucky times Etc.
15th April 1996 I was setting off on the 17 mile ride to work on my new motor cycle, a 1200cc Shaft drive Suzuki. I never made it as far as work as the Shaft drive mechanism, Bevel drive, siezed up and threw me down the road! Luckily, as it was a pretty unpopulated area, a lady heard things and sent for the Ambulance. Next thing I remember, vaguley, is waking up from the Coma a week or so later! "Traumatic Brain Injuries" meant that the hospital staff still weren't sure that I would live through it all. I'm here now so I did.
I have since then read that 90% of brain injured people end up losing their Partner and mine was one of those 90%. I lost my wife, my house, my work, my ability to drive or ride motorcycles and at the time I was in such a mental state that I didn't know how much it all meant to me.
I wasn't expected to be able to live without a carer but, being Bloody Minded, I managed less and less time and am now okay for a lot of time on my own with the help of friends and family.
A few years ago Dave, my brother, introduced me to aPedal Tricycle. I did a 1 1/2 mile ride on the flat and the Doctor gave me some stick for that! I did keep trying a bit at a time and finally managed to make riding a regular thing. I've done a few trips of cycle camping and it's only in 2009 that health has slipped backdown again that I have stopped for a while. I do miss it and will get back a pedal soon.
I got my driving licence back, 3 year renewable, and immediately went into the Old ways. Sold lots of valuable cycles, 2 and 3 wheel alike, and spent the money on Buying Motorbikes again. STUPID! I'm not safe to ride a motorbike so I sold them all off at a ridiculous financial cost to myself and now I'm back to the start again.
I have a ground floor flat in Lancaster. My physical limitations mean that I am lucky to be near to Facilities and carers are close by when needed ( I'm not always in charge of my own head!).
I'm writing this in December 2009 and I know I'm waffling on a bit but this is a Starting Point for me to aim for a more positive set of words in 2010.