True Grit

[the woodster]

Myself and a mate were out on a ride yesterday and popped into the '1066 cafe' on the A21. We had finished our sausage and mash and were going back to our bikes in the car park when in rode two guys, one of which drew my attention because he appeared to 'only' have one arm and was riding a GS WC.

Needless to say we got chatting to them and he explained that he lost his right arm and half of his right foot in a bad motorcycle accident twenty years ago. He was riding a GS that he had adapted himself which had the throttle on the left hand side with a thumb front brake in the fashion of Mick Doohan of yesteryear. He also mentioned that it had taken him twelve years to get back on a bike after the accident (As if he has to explain himself!) He mentioned that it was difficult to ride because of his disability.

The words 'inspiration' and 'awe inspiring' have been cheapened and are thrown about nowadays in relation to nobody celebrities or someone that can sing badly on a TV 'talent' programme so I won't insult or patronise him by using them in relation to his situation. I am pretty sure he went through some very dark times in the immediate aftermath of his injury but he has triumphed over it and found a way to continue doing something that he (and we) clearly love.

so all I am going to say is 'Sir, I salute you: balls of steel and True Grit indeed.'

 

[Warlord]

 

[OldCroc]

Myself and a mate were out on a ride yesterday and popped into the '1066 cafe' on the A21. We had finished our sausage and mash and were going back to our bikes in the car park when in rode two guys, one of which drew my attention because he appeared to 'only' have one arm and was riding a GS WC.

Needless to say we got chatting to them and he explained that he lost his right arm and half of his right foot in a bad motorcycle accident twenty years ago. He was riding a GS that he had adapted himself which had the throttle on the left hand side with a thumb front brake in the fashion of Mick Doohan of yesteryear. He also mentioned that it had taken him twelve years to get back on a bike after the accident (As if he has to explain himself!) He mentioned that it was difficult to ride because of his disability.

The words 'inspiration' and 'awe inspiring' have been cheapened and are thrown about nowadays in relation to nobody celebrities or someone that can sing badly on a TV 'talent' programme so I won't insult or patronise him by using them in relation to his situation. I am pretty sure he went through some very dark times in the immediate aftermath of his injury but he has triumphed over it and found a way to continue doing something that he (and we) clearly love.

so all I am going to say is 'Sir, I salute you: balls of steel and True Grit indeed.'

+1

A close lady friend of mine (28 years old) is a below-knee amputee who is far from disabled. She rides horses for fun and 5 years ago fell off and broke her back which now has 3 vertebra fused together with metalwork. Only a week ago she was jet-skiing off a very windy coast and really going for it. Her comment when back on shore? Found the accelerator difficult to hold full on as she has had a number of surgical reconstruction operations on her fingers! What a star!

 

[Engineer]

My younger brother lost the use of his right arm in a motorcycle accident many years ago when he was in his early 20s - but he still managed to take up SCUBA diving. Some people are just driven to overcome their misfortunes.

 

[Phill Elston]

This is the BLESMA Obituray for a man I have the honour to have called a close friend.

https://blesma.org/about-us/obituaries/paul-burns-obituary/

Paul was a biker (even if his bike was a HD LOL) an offshore yacht master, a skydiver, skier & equestrian... and much, much more.

He lost his left leg (and suffered other terrible injuries) as a direct result of the Warrenpoint massacre in 1979. Because of constant pain in his remaining leg, Paul elected, in 2012, to also have his right leg amputated below the knee.
He returned to full fitness, taking up all of his sports once again by 2013.

In June 2014, Paul was participating in the 3 Counties Bike Ride with friends from the charity closest to his heart, "BLESMA" when he was struck by a car. He was on his hand bike and, to avoid other cyclists, he collided with a telegraph pole breaking his femur. Sadly, a week later, he developed a blood clot, which caused his sudden death.

The world is not quite such a bright and happy place without "Burnsy" in it. The word "HERO" is often used... But never has it been more applicable than when added to his name.

If you're inclined, you can buy the book of his story (as it was up to 2010) here... https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fighting-Spirit-My-Story/dp/0007354371

RIP Paul - a giant amongst mortals

 

[Comfy Old Boots]

There is a guy here in Ireland who only has one arm. Rides a lot. Calls himself the one armed bandit on forums!

 

[Edward]

Manx rider Chris Mitchell who lost an arm in a motorcycle accident raced here since in the Manx Grand Prix.

 

[Andi_archer]

I watched this yesterday another excellent person of merit who has overcome a drastic incident in his life to help others in similar circumstance
https://www.facebook.com/ReturningT...a1snicR4rH6K0XT6dUm5AHV_xPN64yf7f45Tn-kLbwfTY

 

[the woodster]

Thanks for letting us know about other real heros guys.

The world is always a better place with people like them in it.