I’m in a wheelchair because I suffer with osteo-arthritis in my hips, knees, shoulders, elbows – nearly all my joints are affected now – and I have a crumbling spine. I started to have terrible problems walking 6-7 years ago and my wife decided enough was enough and persuaded me to use a wheelchair to get out and about more. I couldn’t resist it any longer, so in 2001, I became officially disabled (though I’ve only recently acquired my disability registration card!!) and dependant on a wheelchair when outside the house.
Admittedly, I’m luckier than many wheelchair users, in that I can still transfer and on a really good day, I’m able to hobble about using the furniture, the GSD and my wife for support – but I can’t do stairs or walk far at all. Am I in pain? Yeah, and…? I’m on pain management medication and I also have IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), which is stress-related! My wife refers to it as “Irritable Bugger Syndrome” and she’s not too far wrong!!
So, that’s my health explained… I shall probably need to undergo an amputation to one or both legs at some stage, due to circulatory problems, but it hasn’t happened yet and when it does, I shall bloody well carry on regardless.
My goals:
To complete the Road Trip before this summer’s over.
To fish next year’s Marlin World Cup
To write a guide to Fishing the Southwest of England
To ski a black run on a sit-ski (preferably in Colorado!)
To water-ski again
To fish all over the world
To sail round the world (with my wife, daughter, 2 dogs and my parrot) and live-journal the whole trip
To have fun doing all these things and more…
Hi Nick
Its good to find your web pages
I too am disabled – I have MS and am also confined to wheelchair use outside the realms of our “estate”
I have a second reason for mailing you
I am hoping that you can help me to find out how to get my town council to open up the only area in town that can be fished by the disabled angler. Its the only place with the toilet facilities that are necessary.
In summer the area is closed to all anglers because it is said they cause too many arguements with the holiday boaters (grockles)
In winter the area is open to anglers, but they erect what they call a flood barrier, a row of old railway sleepers two high that in no way stops the water, to stop the flooding on spring tides. Only floods a few times each year, but the barrier is left all winter and spring.
I cannot get any way to access the waters edge – I get told to fish in places I would call almost impossible for the disabled angler to reach.
Could you, or any of your colleagues give me some ideas as to how to get some kind of access to “shangri-la”
many thx
Les
Les,
Can you please contact me via the Forum? Then, armed with more info, I’ll see what I can do to help!
Go to: http://www.reels-on-wheels.org/forum
Please send me a PM or e-mail with the details and we’ll discuss the whole situation…
Cheers, Nick
Hi Nick
Your efforts on behalf of the disabled angling community are truely an inspiration. We wish you all the best and every good fortune in the future.
Hi!
I found your site via Ableize and see you are also in Devon!
I use a wheelchair sometimes! Lucky me I suppose as I can walk short distances in pain!
see my blog a support for people who cannot eat……………………and are fed enterally via a PEG
Unusual ? Maybe to some but not to me!
I like the link boxes at the top of your blog………might need to look into this idea!
Pop over and leave a message to say hello if nothing else and ask questions too!
Thanks
Chris (F)
http://www.mypegypeg.blogspot.com
Keep giving inspiration to others Nick.
Hello my friends.
I am so glad to have found your site!…WELL DONE!!! I love it… How have you been?
I have thought of you both many times.
Please keep in touch.
Terri
Hello Nick. You story is almost identical to mine. I have a disability called Lax Ligament Syndrome which basically means all my joints become unstable and dislocated. I also suffered for years before going into a wheelchair (men, we are a stubborn bread). I have also started to suffer with IBS but I have been told that its due to the years of pain killers I have been on making my digestive system become weak and very sensitive. Milks of the menu so I am now addicted to dry weetabix and jam.
Your site is great. I have been out of fishing for about 25 years and thought I could never get back into it due to not being able to move about well and having a dislocated shoulder. But as the saying goes were theres a will theres a way and I am now back enjoying the most popular sport in the world.
Keep up the great work with the site and when and all the best with your fishing and health.
Hey when you get a chance let me know what you think of the article I did about you.
Terri
Here is the link
http://hubpages.com/hub/Disabled-Anglers