How Many Of You Have A Disability?
#151
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 18,138
Bikes: 2 many
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1266 Post(s)
Liked 323 Times
in
169 Posts
Just sayin.
Yesterday I got passed by a guy on a nice road bike with no legs below the knee. Two artificial lower legs and feet. His legs and feet were half carbon fiber. He went 18mph for a while. It looked like he had bike shoes and was clipped in. I was impressed.
Yesterday I got passed by a guy on a nice road bike with no legs below the knee. Two artificial lower legs and feet. His legs and feet were half carbon fiber. He went 18mph for a while. It looked like he had bike shoes and was clipped in. I was impressed.
#152
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Dela-where?
Posts: 226
Bikes: GT Fitness series, IBEX Vantage 5500, Raleigh M-80
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I have a profound severe hearing loss in both ears and even though i do wear hearng aids in most cases it doesn't help. when it comes to rding i don't worry a lot about what can or could happen by not being able to hear. i just enjoy my rides, the solitude, and tranquility. Some days are jsut tempo rides, easy spinning other days I hammer.. i also received a leg injury @ the same time and i have foot drop and do not have a knee reflex, pretty much of a bad limp and slap the foot..lol..
I don't know if you ever get use to the snickers and people laughing when you misunderstand,however i just take it in stride
unfortuantely hearing loss, deafness is a silent disability so to speak. so many don't understand it, nor do they take the time to want to converse or carry out a conversation.. i use to be pretty much extroverted as it has worsen to the point it is now i have become more intorverted. life is good though and i try not to let others ignorance bother me.
unfortuantely hearing loss, deafness is a silent disability so to speak. so many don't understand it, nor do they take the time to want to converse or carry out a conversation.. i use to be pretty much extroverted as it has worsen to the point it is now i have become more intorverted. life is good though and i try not to let others ignorance bother me.
Deafness is not such a big deal until you need employment. The world looks at deaf people as dysfunctional, unable to do anything. We spend a lot of time proving to everyone that we can do the same things, and it is draining. Even the director of the local bicycling club expressed grave concern about me joining. You don't need to hear in order to ride a bicycle.
#153
24-Speed Machine
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Wash. Grove, MD
Posts: 6,058
Bikes: 2003 Specialized Allez 24-Speed Road Bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
While my hearing is fine in both ears, my congenital health problems ultimately resulted in my being fired from my first full time job. Because they said I was too slow when it came to my typing speed.
The guy in the company that hired me, ended up getting fired for embezzlement.
Go figure
The guy in the company that hired me, ended up getting fired for embezzlement.
Go figure
#154
24-Speed Machine
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Wash. Grove, MD
Posts: 6,058
Bikes: 2003 Specialized Allez 24-Speed Road Bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Chris516 - yup, I would think you do.
I would wager that most of us, while knowing there are always people worse off then ourselves, wish at one point or another that our *issues* were different.
Not meaning to come across tacky, or the like, I tend to think someone missing most of a leg wishes (at times) that they were more like me, and vice-versa. Never having lost a limb (or it's use completely) I can only guess what someone that has goes through - but at times, I sometimes think it is worse to have *some* use of a limb. My knees almost 'taunt' me. At various points in time, they will almost work well, and then the weather will change, or God will sneeze, and boom, the pain goes crazy high, and they refuse to work - whereas if I didn't have them (my thinking goes), in time I would get used to the way my life is - because at least the issue is somewhat stable, but as they are, every day is different.
This post is *not* meant as whiny, just trying to put a 'voice' to what bounces around in my head at times. As I get older, my ability to deal with constant pain is getting worse, and frankly I can not see dealing with it for another 30-odd years.
I would wager that most of us, while knowing there are always people worse off then ourselves, wish at one point or another that our *issues* were different.
Not meaning to come across tacky, or the like, I tend to think someone missing most of a leg wishes (at times) that they were more like me, and vice-versa. Never having lost a limb (or it's use completely) I can only guess what someone that has goes through - but at times, I sometimes think it is worse to have *some* use of a limb. My knees almost 'taunt' me. At various points in time, they will almost work well, and then the weather will change, or God will sneeze, and boom, the pain goes crazy high, and they refuse to work - whereas if I didn't have them (my thinking goes), in time I would get used to the way my life is - because at least the issue is somewhat stable, but as they are, every day is different.
This post is *not* meant as whiny, just trying to put a 'voice' to what bounces around in my head at times. As I get older, my ability to deal with constant pain is getting worse, and frankly I can not see dealing with it for another 30-odd years.
I wonder, if someone loses say, a leg above the knee, after 20-30 years, do they become if not pain-free, do they come close to it, or *stable*, or is "phantom pain" pretty much a for sure thing that never goes away? I assume 'phantom pain' is bout as bad as most other chronic pains?
I know for sure that chronic back pain must be horrible! With the leg (example) many times you can sorta mentally cut it off and remove it from the rest of you - in other words, turning my head doesn't make my knee or hip hurt more, but with spinal issues, most any movement creates pain...
If I tried to get a drivers' license(which I choose not to do, since I have my bike), I would be considered legally blind by the DMV.
#156
On a Mission from God
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Thibodaux, LA
Posts: 2,010
Bikes: '10 Surly LHT, Rat-rod Klunker, '82 Peugeot PH12 Centennial
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
3 Posts
I saw this sub forum and wanted to share. Anyway... I was in a catastrophic accident on July 12th, 2011. Amongst other injuries, the ones that affected my cycling were a broken tibia in my right leg (3 breaks, all compound) and I broke every bone from my forearm to my fingertips in my left arm, which required a partial amputation of my hand (pinky and ring finger up to the wrist so, half a hand) and a hefty amount of metal on all the breaks. I'm still going through a substantial amount of therapy and maybe have 10% use of my left hand. It hasn't stopped me and my love for 2 wheels. I've been out of a wheelchair for a month and against the advice of every friend, family member, aquaintance, etcetera hopped on 3 weeks ago just to see if I could do it. Just to make sure another passion isn't being taken away. Just to see if I could feel some degree of normalcy again. I got on and rode a block. I cried. I hurt. But I rode another block. And another. And another. I cried more but they were tears of relief. Tears of happiness. Tears of joy. All despite the pain, I was pedaling again. Feeling the wind on my face. My ears. My legs. My soul. And what's left of my hands. That happy hand that has helped me brake, shift, and control those 2 wheels for years. That's gone for the moment but it's not gonna stop me. It makes me want to ride more. It makes me want to ride harder. And it makes me realize how much it means to me and my sanity. *I've, in the past three weeks, rode about fifty miles. That used to be a normal weekday road bike ride and now it's taken 3 weeks. But I still rode them, despite the circumstances. And in all of this I've realized that I don't have a disability. I have a setback where I can't stop or ride as fast. For now. The expectations are bright for a full recovery, sans some digits. I don't know if I have the ability to inspire but I hope that everyone doesn't take those 2 wheels for granted. You never know when life will throw a curveball. I've been fortunate enough to continue to bat.*
My wife looked at me today and said "There's no way you're going to make it to December without riding, is there?" She's a smart woman...
#157
Banned
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: San Diego County
Posts: 152
Bikes: 2011 Giant Defy
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Amazing. Your accident happened on the exact same day mine did... July 12th... and I was/am in much the same boat as you, except I only had my left leg reconstructed. I started riding on a trainer, and when I first got on, I couldn't even bend my knee enough to do a complete rotation of the pedals. I just sat there and moved my legs backwards and forwards a little every day until I could get it all the way around. Three months later, and I can now walk and climb stairs without crutches, I can ride the trainer for more than an hour, but I still haven't ridden the bike on the street. Part of my hesitation is that I promised my wife and kids I would wait until I was cleared for physical activity by the doctor, hopefully in early December. I don't know if I will ever get 100% of my leg strength back, but I'm getting better every day. I'm sure you will do the same! It's just a matter of time, healing, and keeping at it.
My wife looked at me today and said "There's no way you're going to make it to December without riding, is there?" She's a smart woman...
My wife looked at me today and said "There's no way you're going to make it to December without riding, is there?" She's a smart woman...
#158
On a Mission from God
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Thibodaux, LA
Posts: 2,010
Bikes: '10 Surly LHT, Rat-rod Klunker, '82 Peugeot PH12 Centennial
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
3 Posts
When I sustained my injuries I was in traction and had a halo screwed into my head, basically flat on my back for six months. My question is did you guys have to go on the table where they slowly raise your head until just before you pass out, & each day they raise you a little more until your almost in a standing position. I hated that almost as much as the surgeries, I never knew that your heart could atrophy so much in six months.
I am constantly amazed by the human body's ability to heal.
#160
24-Speed Machine
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Wash. Grove, MD
Posts: 6,058
Bikes: 2003 Specialized Allez 24-Speed Road Bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
When I sustained my injuries I was in traction and had a halo screwed into my head, basically flat on my back for six months. My question is did you guys have to go on the table where they slowly raise your head until just before you pass out, & each day they raise you a little more until your almost in a standing position. I hated that almost as much as the surgeries, I never knew that your heart could atrophy so much in six months.
Last edited by Chris516; 10-17-11 at 09:10 PM.
#161
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 212
Bikes: 2012 Specialized Tarmac Comp, 2015 Merida Reacto 5000, 2015 Giant Trinity Composite
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Spend a couple of weeks not doing something and then bang, you're wrecked for months. I am still trying to recover from my hip replacement in June.
#162
Banned
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: San Diego County
Posts: 152
Bikes: 2011 Giant Defy
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Let me tell ya, your'e not missing anything, it is a circular piece of either aluminum or stainless steal and they actually have screws all the way around it that are tightened enough into your skull to mobilize your head & neck, your field of vision is very limited . It gets extremely frustrating staring at the ceiling all freakin day and not being able to see wtf is going on around or to you. Sounds funny but if you never get a halo you are truly blessed. Sorry about your issues just keep up the fight, I do every day all day & night, I can't sleep from the pain or flashbacks, it's been so long now it's the new normal I just came to terms with it this year & I'm 50ish.
#163
24-Speed Machine
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Wash. Grove, MD
Posts: 6,058
Bikes: 2003 Specialized Allez 24-Speed Road Bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I've put up with the snickers/laughing/mocking for the last 42 years. It is easy to dismiss strangers behaving like that, but it is infuriating when employers, co-workers, and family members do it. I had the implants put in in order to improve my hearing....all because I am doing everything I can to hear as much as I can.
#164
24-Speed Machine
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Wash. Grove, MD
Posts: 6,058
Bikes: 2003 Specialized Allez 24-Speed Road Bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Let me tell ya, your'e not missing anything, it is a circular piece of either aluminum or stainless steal and they actually have screws all the way around it that are tightened enough into your skull to mobilize your head & neck, your field of vision is very limited . It gets extremely frustrating staring at the ceiling all freakin day and not being able to see wtf is going on around or to you. Sounds funny but if you never get a halo you are truly blessed. Sorry about your issues just keep up the fight, I do every day all day & night, I can't sleep from the pain or flashbacks, it's been so long now it's the new normal I just came to terms with it this year & I'm 50ish.
#165
Out fishing with Annie on his lap, a cigar in one hand and a ginger ale in the other, watching the sunset.
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: South Florida
Posts: 16,056
Bikes: Techna Wheelchair and a Sun EZ 3 Recumbent Trike
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 22 Times
in
17 Posts
Trust me, if had ever had a halo, you'd remember it vividly. It's essentiallly a device to immobilize and apply traction to the neck to prevent spinal cord injury.
__________________
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
#166
Banned
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: San Diego County
Posts: 152
Bikes: 2011 Giant Defy
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yea I forgot about the hole they drilled into my tibia and put a bolt through it with about 80lbs hanging off the end of the bed on a pulley.
#167
Out fishing with Annie on his lap, a cigar in one hand and a ginger ale in the other, watching the sunset.
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: South Florida
Posts: 16,056
Bikes: Techna Wheelchair and a Sun EZ 3 Recumbent Trike
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 22 Times
in
17 Posts
Yeah, ain't that just a joy as well?
__________________
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
#168
Guest
Posts: n/a
Mentioned: Post(s)
Tagged: Thread(s)
Quoted: Post(s)
Folks, where are the ride reports? Where are the stories of our adventures? I can sit and moan with the best of them, but, really, do we want this forum as "all cripples, all the time?" I gave up posting to the National Scoliosis Foundation boards partly because so many people wore pain and disfigurement and victimhood as a badge of honor. Let's not live up to the stereotype able-bodied people give us.
#169
Banned
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: San Diego County
Posts: 152
Bikes: 2011 Giant Defy
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Folks, where are the ride reports? Where are the stories of our adventures? I can sit and moan with the best of them, but, really, do we want this forum as "all cripples, all the time?" I gave up posting to the National Scoliosis Foundation boards partly because so many people wore pain and disfigurement and victimhood as a badge of honor. Let's not live up to the stereotype able-bodied people give us.
Last edited by Sgt Mac; 11-01-11 at 10:29 PM. Reason: spelling
#170
Guest
Posts: n/a
Mentioned: Post(s)
Tagged: Thread(s)
Quoted: Post(s)
It's not like that at all brother, I just bought an awesome mtn bike check it out https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...-of-my-Xtrance I'm going riding asap, mention of my injuries are in no way a pitty party, simply stating the facts. I do believe it helps people to read what others went through to either say wow mine wasn't that bad or just to know your not alone in your pain. that's why some of us have weekly meetings at the VA, it helps to talk to people that have been through what you have. Look at yourself, like I said after looking at your photos did me some good to know yours is unfortunately genetic so you never got to experience being a literal super man like I was, but I got cut down to size and quite violently. Your still an inspiration to me.
#171
On a Mission from God
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Thibodaux, LA
Posts: 2,010
Bikes: '10 Surly LHT, Rat-rod Klunker, '82 Peugeot PH12 Centennial
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
3 Posts
Trust me, as soon as I can ride again, I will be posting up reports...
#173
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
Folks, where are the ride reports? Where are the stories of our adventures? I can sit and moan with the best of them, but, really, do we want this forum as "all cripples, all the time?" I gave up posting to the National Scoliosis Foundation boards partly because so many people wore pain and disfigurement and victimhood as a badge of honor. Let's not live up to the stereotype able-bodied people give us.
Rode 200 km over the past week and this was a mix of commuting, hauling, and I even threw caution to the wind and went off roading on my way home on a few nice evenings and simply killed thing on the single track once I tweaked out my bike to address some traction issues. It is not really challenging until you have to maintain your cadence and flow with only one leg doing the work but know of a guy who races mtb... on one leg.
If he can do it I can do it with a leg that only has partial use... and I try not to let frustration get the best of me when I cannot make it up little climbs I used to warm up on.
Instead... I ride back down and try it again and again until I do make it.
I have physio every second day so whatever I throw out gets put back into place and have been mixing it up with more and more weights along with traction and plenty of time with the TENS unit and a muscle stimulator.
Am feeling it now and will be back in for more traction and electrocution tomorrow... physiotherapist is very encouraging when it comes to cycling and even approves of me hitting the trails... within reason.
#174
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Groningen, Netherlands
Posts: 289
Bikes: Pre-Grant Peterson Bridgestone Mixte, Gazelle Champion Mondial Semirace Mixte
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My recent ride report stinks!!! Saturday we biked to Groninging (16 km one way) to go swimming. Good ride there, no braking for drinks or rest, no whining.. I did awesome. Got there, had a wonderful time in the pool. We puddered around Groningen and I decided my racebike stinks on cobblestones the size of breadloaves. On the way home I mashed my pedal down at an intersection to hurry up and get through it and damaged my knee on my "good" leg. Last 1/4 of the trip home was me doing a lot of spinning with major internal whining. Sunday I laid on the couch all day with a mild fever and my knee covered in various smelly creams. This morning (Monday) the knee is making gristly sounds and I'm seriously considering the doctor but I know what she'll say. Racebike is going to have to go into the garage for at least a month. No mashing. More swimming. I'm not happy. Grrrrrrr
#175
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 11
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Just stumbled onto this thread. Very interesting post. I grew up with polio, upper left arm. I've had it since I was 10 months old. Never kept me from actvities. Three knee operations, torn acl, torn cartilage had me in therapy riding a stationary bike. That's how I got into this sport.
Enjoyed it until 96 when I crashed doing the Ride Across Oregon. Can't seem to get back on the horse.
I do tip my hat to all that ride with your disabilities.
Enjoyed it until 96 when I crashed doing the Ride Across Oregon. Can't seem to get back on the horse.
I do tip my hat to all that ride with your disabilities.