Matt Iles’ W800 Trike

I was involved in a motorbike accident at the age of 17 and I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and I was in a coma for 21 days.

My family were told I would probably not survive and if, by a miracle I did, I would be severely disabled.

While in the coma my heart stopped three times and I was resuscitated. I was also read the last rites.

The excellent medical care I received, and the support of my loving family and many friends helped me to come through this terrible event.

It took many years of rehabilitation to get to where I am now.

Unfortunately, my brain injury has left me with, amongst many other things, physical health issues, communication problems and cognitive impairments.

Despite my life changing accident, I have maintained my love of motorbikes. Open House

One problem I have is very poor balance. This has always prevented me from being able to get back to riding a motorbike.

I met my wonderful partner, Nita, nearly seven years ago and she loves bikes too. I had ridden pillion with her so many times but never dreamed that I could one day ride again.

Nita bought a second motorbike and suggested that my poor balance might not be such a problem on three wheels, maybe a trike might be something to consider. I had never thought of getting a trike and said that I would love to try it.

She gave me her Kawasaki W800 and we approached The Trike Shop to enquire if it was possible to convert this bike to a trike.

Haydn and Bev from The Trike Shop were amazing and told us about the National Association for

Bikers with a Disability. We are proud to say we are now both NABD members.

With the help of Nita and the support of the NABD, I went ahead with the full conversion of the Kawasaki W800 to a trike. I have so far only gone on a few rides on my fantastic new trike, with Nita following on her Triumph America for support.

My balance problem does not cause any issues at all on the trike and I am loving every minute of it.

Thanks to everyone who has made my dream come true.

Roll on the summer!!

Matt

This grant was sponsored by the Ulster Vespa Club

For more information on The Trike Shop, visit www.trikeshop.co.uk or call +44 (0)29 2036 9420

Open House Issue 102

Open House Issue 102