Disability and riding?

[tigertim20]

I have seen some pretty moving stuff when it comes to motorcycles. I know I get a sense of freedom when I am on my bike, but what about those who ordinarily wouldnt be able to ride? what sense of freedom do they feel when something allows them to relive, or experience for the first time, the thrill of riding a motorcycle?
Ive seen bikes with hydraulically operated rams with 'training wheels" which automatically lower when below a certain speed, so those missing a leg can ride, and i have seen modified handlebars to assist with other disabilities. I imagine the DN01 is going to help a few people too.

heres my question, if I may be so forward as to ask it:
how many people on here ride with a disability (or ride with someone who does) what is your disability, how do you cope with it when riding, what modifications or support do you require to be able to ride?

[Nasty]

Interesting questions ... I have multiple sclerosis .. most can't tell that I even have it.

I do not modify the bike .. but rather if I am out of remission I don't ride for a short period till I go back in.

When I suffered from heart problems (SVT) again if I was ill no ride .. but if I got ill I just calmed down to a lower rate (around 150 ish) and then rode a short bit have a break and try again ... that way I would only end up in Wellington Hospitals cos they knew what to give me without the need to explain.

So not relaly the type of disability you are looking at .. but both were major problems which could have taken me fully off the road.

[GOONR]

Interesting questions ... I have multiple sclerosis .. most can't tell that I even have it.

I do not modify the bike .. but rather if I am out of remission I don't ride for a short period till I go back in.

When I suffered from heart problems (SVT) again if I was ill no ride .. but if I got ill I just calmed down to a lower rate (around 150 ish) and then rode a short bit have a break and try again ... that way I would only end up in Wellington Hospitals cos they knew what to give me without the need to explain.

So not relaly the type of disability you are looking at .. but both were major problems which could have taken me fully off the road.

Minor thread hijack (sorry) so what is your normal heart rate, my daughter (20 months old) has had two open heart surgeries and at one point her rate was over 220..

End of hijack..

[Nasty]

It would sit on 200+ until I got the drugs to restart the heart .. adenizine ... freaky drug .. could be for any period though .. and quite often wouldn't call ambulance for three or four hours (answer hijack done) - they threaded wires into the heart to fix electrical fault.

[tigertim20]

that is what I am looking for, disability isnt restricted to limb losses etc!

[onearmedbandit]

Ride with one arm after ripping nerves C5 to T1 out of spine on the left side from a bike accident in '97. I still have my arm, despite it being entirely paralysed (and currently broken, but that's another story) and just tuck it inside my leathers. Seems to be a great conversation starter. The only mod I have done to my bike to accomadate my situation is put a clutch lever on the right clip-on facing towards the tank, that I operate with my thumb. Works a treat, is simple and effective. Riding is great for my pain control, my pain level never goes below 4/10 and spikes at the top end hundreds of times a day, but when I'm out riding the pain is pushed back once I hit the open road and get the pace on.