Post by nobby on Feb 18, 2012 19:12:41 GMT 10
Up to 2yrs ago my riding buddy was David and rode an R1 Yamaha, he commuted on it, took it to track days and we had some great trips away. From 2001 to 2009 we never missed a Superbikes or MotoGP weekend at Phillip Island, and even if my DD did finish up being the pack-horse for most trips it was always well worth it.
2yrs ago things changed when David developed something called Guillain-Barrè syndrome. It’s an autoimmune condition. It is a form of nerve inflammation resulting in a spreading paralysis. The cause is unknown, but the trigger seems to be certain acute viral or bacterial infections. In Davids case they tracked it down to mild food poisoning from a chicken parma pub meal. Most people recover, it may take two years or more, there is no cure.
It has taken David just over 2yrs, but the first 8 months were the worst, slowly progressing from wheelchair to walking frame, crutches to a walking cane and now a flat footed shuffle.
He will never run again and he put the dust covers over his R1 in the hope that one day he may be able to lift his leg high enough to get on and ride it, but through all that has happened I never once heard him complain about the hand he was dealt, but I have shed a tear over the look on his face when he sat watching his 8yr old son kicking a footy and couldn’t join in.
About a year ago I got to thinking that maybe if David couldn’t ride his bike, he may be able to ride mine, so I parked DD in his garage, chucked him the keys and told him,”don’t worry she’s insured”
It worked and he got the bike bug back, went out and purchased a Repairable Write-Off Suzuki 800cc Volusia, and then proceeded to rip it apart and create his ride, most of the work he did himself and on some I offered tech assist.
I now have my riding buddy back, and we are doing the Supers weekend again, also planning our next roadtrip, this I hope will be one to remember. I can’t express how proud I am of this bloke, and even prouder to say he’s my son.
2yrs ago things changed when David developed something called Guillain-Barrè syndrome. It’s an autoimmune condition. It is a form of nerve inflammation resulting in a spreading paralysis. The cause is unknown, but the trigger seems to be certain acute viral or bacterial infections. In Davids case they tracked it down to mild food poisoning from a chicken parma pub meal. Most people recover, it may take two years or more, there is no cure.
It has taken David just over 2yrs, but the first 8 months were the worst, slowly progressing from wheelchair to walking frame, crutches to a walking cane and now a flat footed shuffle.
He will never run again and he put the dust covers over his R1 in the hope that one day he may be able to lift his leg high enough to get on and ride it, but through all that has happened I never once heard him complain about the hand he was dealt, but I have shed a tear over the look on his face when he sat watching his 8yr old son kicking a footy and couldn’t join in.
About a year ago I got to thinking that maybe if David couldn’t ride his bike, he may be able to ride mine, so I parked DD in his garage, chucked him the keys and told him,”don’t worry she’s insured”
It worked and he got the bike bug back, went out and purchased a Repairable Write-Off Suzuki 800cc Volusia, and then proceeded to rip it apart and create his ride, most of the work he did himself and on some I offered tech assist.
I now have my riding buddy back, and we are doing the Supers weekend again, also planning our next roadtrip, this I hope will be one to remember. I can’t express how proud I am of this bloke, and even prouder to say he’s my son.
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