I'm originally from Liverpool in the UK. After University I qualified as a professional accountant and worked for the tire manufacturer, Pirelli.I moved to the USA in 1998 with Pirelli and became fascinated with motorcycles. I started racing in...

( Read more )

I'm originally from Liverpool in the UK. After University I qualified as a professional accountant and worked for the tire manufacturer, Pirelli.I moved to the USA in 1998 with Pirelli and became fascinated with motorcycles. I started racing in 2002 and raced my first professional race in 2005. I crashed many times, but got a SCI in April 2007 in Birmingham Alabama. My brake lever failed at approximately 150 mph and I was lucky with the injuries I got.I am T3 incomplete.I believe there are 2 ways to handle being disabled, and both are valid:1. You can let it define you. Become immersed in the disabled life. Maximise yourself with handicap sports, competitions, activites. Throw yourself into the lifestyle, make friends among other diabled people. Keep fit and healthy.2. Continue to live as though you are still able bodied, but with a few new complications. Keep your job, your old friends, similar activites. Obviously try new activities and make new, disabled, friends. But essentially pick up your life where you left off, for a few months in hospital. Keep fit and healthy.Both paths are satisfying. They are both different approaches to the same problem. They are both just as noble. I chose route 2, but I have friends who chose route 1. Both routes share a positive outlook, and acceptance that things are going to be more difficult BUT that your best days are still in front of you. And actually, believe it or not, your best days are most likely still ahead.

( Read less )