Swallowing my pride… in a good way!
It has been quite a few weeks!
I know that it has been a number of weeks since I posted a message. I apologize for this but it has actually been quite difficult to get a good block of time where it is quiet enough for me to “write” a message. Since I have been going home for weekends I’ve been super busy doing therapies during the week at Talbot and spending time with the family and friends on weekends. I’ve also been doing therapies on the weekends with massage and a bit of trampoline activity [but don't tell them at Talbot]! I also fit in at least one fes bike session on each day that I am home. This device has been a wonderful part of my rehabilitation so far. Sometimes after a busy weekend I get back to Talbot for a rest!
I really am getting used to this new body now. It really is like that. Your body works differently, sends you different signals than what you’re used to, has different physical capabilities, and you have a different level of health. For example: prior to the injury I had a perfect heart rate, a perfect blood pressure level and was able to regulate my temperature well. I now have a slightly higher heart rate, slightly low blood pressure and my temperature regulation is quite poor. I only have full sensation from my shoulders up. Initially with the injury I would wake up and for a brief moment you expect your body to be what it used to be. You then faced with a disappointment of the realization of the new body you find yourself in. About halfway through September I had my first dream that involved me in the new body I was in. From this point onwards I have begun to accept this body, work with this body and my rate of improvement has been much greater. This really is a mental battle and reaching that point was a big step in my recovery.
Can you believe I’ll be riding a recumbent!
I really have had to swallow my pride Re: recumbent riders. Those of us who are used to riding a race bike generally have pretty poor opinions of those who choose to ride a recumbent. At the moment however I am literally dreaming of riding one of these machines. My recovery has been good over the last six weeks and I have been able to power the fes bike partly under my own steam. This prompted a trip to a factory out in Ferntree Gully called Green Speed. A lovely man called Michael Rogan went through with me what my capabilities were and we came up with a bike design that we think I will be able to ride!
I have included a picture of what the beast might look like with a few modifications to cater for my disability. I’m certainly swallowing my pride with this vehicle but could you imagine how good it feels in my head at the moment to think that I might be able to do something keep myself healthy and even fit? This wonderful company has looked at their production schedule and been kind enough to slot me in before Christmas. This has really given me a goal with my rehabilitation and riding this will become a part of it. I wonder how night staff will feel when I ask them to help me get up at 5:30 in the morning so I can do laps of the Boulevard before breakfast? Realistically I’ll start riding this bike on a basketball court, then my aim will be the car park, then the bike path along the beach, then Beach Road, and then who knows! I apologize to all my friends who look upon these vehicles with disdain but surely you will agree I have a valid excuse to ride one!
Competition
I would like to run a competition to come up with a suitable bumper sticker for the vehicle. Please reply to this post if you have any ideas for what might be a suitable message to be displayed. My current idea is a play on the Fox truck slogan: “You Have Just been passed by another quadriplegic”. What do you think? If you have any other ideas please send them in!
(Although at my current output of 5 watts for a total of 10 minutes not sure how much passing I will be doing?)
The trip I had to Green Speed was fantastic. And apart from thanking the company for accommodating my needs, I must also thank Campbell who works here at Royal Talbot. Campbell is a paraplegic who managed to load me into the van and drove us both out for a look around. We had a wonderful conversation in both directions on the trip. I’ve been assisting Campbell to fix the hand cycles they have here at Royal Talbot using my knowledge of bicycle maintenance and Campbell’s nimble hands. It’s been a lot of fun and great for my morale doing something I’ve always enjoyed.
That will have to do for this post but before I sign off I would like to thank everyone is continuing to help me on my road back to life. Friends and family are everything to me at this moment and I cannot possibly thank the people who are helping me enough. But thank you anyway!
November 7th, 2008 on 2:27 pm
Hi Mike
I think the bumper sticker should say “you are passing an absolute legend and inspiration”
November 7th, 2008 on 7:32 pm
Hi Michael,
I have been regularly reading your website and I think your progress is fantastic. It’s great that the opportunity exists for you to be able to resume your passion of bike riding through a modified bike. Yeah to technology! Wishing you and your family all the best as you continue with your rehab.
Trish
November 8th, 2008 on 9:32 am
Great read, Mike! How about ‘You just passed a quad on a trike’ or ambitiously ‘You have just been passed by a quad on a trike’
November 8th, 2008 on 9:12 pm
Michael, you are just amazing! Just amazing mate; the slogan “Go hard or go home” must’ve been made in your honour.
November 10th, 2008 on 12:25 pm
Loved the post Mike.
How about – “Never been pushed” Or “Sure, I make it look easy” Or “Who would’ve thought: A Recumbent” Or “Quad on Board” Or “Dad’s Taxi” Or “Don’t like my riding? Too bad” Or “I am the Stig”.
Actually, Mike can you get more than one bike, or maybe a digital bumper plate that can have rolling messages. There are going to be too many to go with just one.
Counting down days until we are visting. Teg is crawling now and stopping to sit and clap as she is very pleased with herself.
Do you think you will have the time to teach El Boy to pedal? He is doing our heads in just slamming on the brakes on his bike and then asking for a push!
Love lots,
Sally
xxx
November 10th, 2008 on 6:04 pm
Hi Mike,
I was shocked and saddened when I heard of your accident today. I wish you all the best, my thoughts are with you and your family. You are truly inspirational – keep up your wonderful positive attitude, and keep on smiling.
Love from Leanne Wicks (nee Stewart)
November 11th, 2008 on 9:59 am
Hi Mike
I am a member of Bruce’s “adult” sqad at Barker College. Reading your comment today is truly inspirational. You have a remarkable ability to accept life and what it throws up. Perhaps one day in the not so distant future you will be able to share yourself with more than we lucky ones reading this site. Keep up the great spirit
Warmest regards
Carmel McMahon
November 11th, 2008 on 8:14 pm
Howdy,
after much filtering of inappropriate wording, including much to do with the quality of Aussie roadmanship, I believe I have a couple of possibilities for a bumper sticker.
As a slight variation of a very old theme, how about ‘Quad Erat Demonstrandum’(I’m sure not too many people will notice the change of one letter). If anyone has ever done more to show, demonstrate, or prove anything I don’t know who they could possibly be.
Or there’s the slightly cheekier option of ‘No Hand Signals’.
On a slightly disappointing note, you do realise you’ve ruined my biography. I was going to give the work a captivating title like ‘How to Sleep With the Stars’, or ‘Lumberjacks Have Big Choppers’, or ‘Come Now Mrs Williams, it’s Only a Vegetable’ – just to con people into reading a book about a fat Welsh bloke whose greatest sporting achievement is a respectable time in the 100 litres. But no, now I have no choice but to call the damn thing ‘I Know Mike Forbes’. And there was I smug in the knowledge that nothing in my life could impress more than the fact I once ate 16 Cadbury Creme Eggs in one sitting. You’ve changed all that, made all previous achievements seem insignificant. You’re one hell of a guy and no doubt given everyone who is aware of the events of the last few months a new insight into what the word ‘guts’ actually means. Every day I catch up through Sal or the website, or both and without fail am touched in a profound way by the phenomenal display of fortitude and endeavour. With this in mind I am slowly building up to a ’30 egg’ event in your honour. I may even go for what I believe you sporty types call ‘the burn’ and throw in half a dozen Time Outs.
Lots of love and a bloody big hug (go on, you know you want to!),
Brother Mike
November 11th, 2008 on 10:35 pm
Dear Michael…
This feels slightly strange (because we don’t even know each other) but I’ve been thinking about writing to you for a while. I should probably introduce myself…. My name’s David, I’m a 25 year old Scotsman studying in Melbourne for a nursing degree. Yeah… I know, weird combination. I came across you a couple of months ago on the internet… I was actually looking to buy a bike and you side tracked me…
Over the past few months I’ve been reading the stories and updates from you, your wife, your family and your friends. At times I’ve sat reading with tears streaming down my face, while on other occasions with a huge grin on my face. I’ve felt so many emotions reading your website and although I try, I know I can’t even begin to understand what you and those close around you deal with everyday you wake up. I have no inspirational words…. I can only be in awe at what you and your wife have achieved over the past few months.
You’ve reminded me of a book I read last year about a fellow Scotsman. It’s called ‘Life and Limb’ by Jamie Andrew. Not sure if you read much but I’ll have it sent over to me and post it to you, if that’s allowed. The book inspires me in many ways, as you do.
Kind regards,
David
November 13th, 2008 on 11:24 am
Hi Mike,
As you may or may not know forbsey, I have not been out on my bike since your accident but would be honored to escort you along Beach Road when that day comes as I am sure countless others would. The sad part is that I will probably need to draft you in the recumbent!
xxJules
November 27th, 2008 on 12:56 am
Hey FORBESY,..The bike I will be able to live with. knowing you it will have ZIPP wheels with a power tap fitted! along with custom carbon fibre parts….hows the flag on the back going to look ??? I agree with DEGAARS…you will slip in a few secret K’s on beach road then hose all of us…
FOZZIE
August 2nd, 2010 on 5:13 pm
Wow I have read your article and by the way I found you website on Google and I think after I read particularpost on you website especially this one I have my own opinion about what should I say on the next meeting with my family, maybe next week I will tell my girl friendabout this one and get debate.