Hey I was wondering if anybody is from virginia and could help me find something to do, and to take me out to have a good time. Im fairly new to the whole wheelchair thing im a T8 complete and cant really race dirtbikes like I used to.

Hi there,

I'm afraid I don't live anywhere near you so I don't know what's around, but have you thought about photgraphy? I really enjoy it and it's not something you have to be physically active to do. You can get some very intersting shots from sitting in a chair

Not near you, but is there a support group anywhere near you that goes on trips and such? There's one here that meets once a week and plans outings. My PT told me about it so you might be able to ask your local PT/OT if there's anything like that where you live.

Well maybe not dirt bikes but there are hand cycles that you use to at least get out & bike. There are 2 basic types the kind that has a seat & you transfer into (be careful if you've got any positioning no-no's.......I can NOT sit reclined & so some hand-cycles would NOT work for me), the other type is one that you connect onto your manual wheelchair so that the large wheels still go on the road but the casters (small wheels) will not as they're connected (not all wheelchair models will work with these (just check if your chair is on the list of computable wheelchairs). It isn't quite the same thing as dirt bikes but it could at least keep you having fun in the great outdoors. Sorry I'm about as opposite end of the country as you can get........California.

Check around with local rehab center or hospitals & or perhaps even a VA hospital.......even if you're not a veteran they may be OK with you tagging along for their outings if there aren't other groups doing things. Also look into groups outside of SCI. It may be that there are some other groups of people in chairs who although may not be from SCI might still do some fun stuff.

And you don't have to only go out with other people in chairs. I mostly go out & hang with people who are AB. I do know & go do stuff with other disabled people but for the most part those with a disability make up a smaller portion of my personal phone book than those who are AB. I'm just trying to say "you can hang with who ever has some of the same interests as you", they don't have to be disabled or AB.

Cool & fun people are just that.

Yes you can race dirts bikes. Research it a bit more, there are heaps of paras getting back on MX bikes again, HEAPS!

Ricky James still races dirtbikes and he has an SCI. I would suggest finding an adaptive sports association near to you and finding out what they can offer you or a support group (or start your own support group!). There's no reason for you to sit around and be bored--lots to do out there for people in chairs!

From one rider to another you can still tear it up…. there are mods for street and dirt applications. But as a t-8 I would recommend you look into modding a 4-wheeler due to balance issues on dirt. Well that and its 10x less effort to ride and you wont need a chase crew to pick you up and set you on your bike every time you go out and every time you fall. Because we both know its not a matter of if your going to fall …its when your going to fall. So the trails can still be ridden my friend its just a matter of changing things up. I just sold my bike and I am in the process of saving for a RZR 800 with hand controls due to my lack of hand function.

Best of luck to you,

Doug

Yeah, Ricky James is a T-7 and still rides.

Here's a link to a good magazine article about Ricky. It's a few years old but I thought it was one of the better articles.

I'm pretty sure his dad is a member here.

There's a lot more info at Ricky James' website .

Thanks guys for all your help. I just bought a Kawasaki Teryx and put hand controls on it, it is a blast to ride and I would recomend it to anybody that wants to have fun on the trails and through some mud.