Where I'm at :( not a good place

I do so much for the SDS team!!! I have become an embassador, and trainer, but no more!!!!

I spoke to Steve, well sobbed down the phone, before I sent him this copying my social worker in. (Im deciding whether to send it to the Manager of SDS, who I'm really fond of and her me????)



My request for a new trike, has been seen as an extravagant solution. I know it's not your fault Jenny I'm just including you, so you can see where I'm at.

I wish I could mend Ziggy (my trike) myself. I don't feel fab, having to reveal to the world just how inept I am. When asking for someone to come and pump my tyre, or fix the brake. My children repaired her the other day. But I cant!!

Of course, when I ask a Mum, to watch Finn home, because I can't cycle to school because I can't fix Ziggy. Or if they could do me a favor, and bring me a pint of Milk. I missed a vital flu jab the other week, because I had a puncture, which could have had serious implications. But because I rewarded someone, with a bottle of cheap bubbly for changing my tyre, the following week. I was able to cycle to the drs, have my jab. Go to 'Recycle', have a meeting about the 'Innovation Fund', leave my trike overnight. Pick her up in a taxi the following morning, on my way to Hillsborough Inclusive Cycling.

Above are the non selfish reasons why I need a spare trike, If I'm being selfish, I would say it's because I LOVE cycling, and being awake, and alert. It keeps me involved with the progress of folk at Autism Plus, who I see every week at Hillsbro' . My work there was recently valued, by a national panel as being the most pride worthy in Yorkshire, of it's kind. Do you think, I'm proud of admitting I can't change a tyre? Or having to plea for everyone's assistance with my kids, because I can't cope? Which is how I feel, when I can't just go to school, at the drop of a hat, because one of my children is ill. And I can't walk there, but gi me 3 wheels, and I can beat any walker/runner. Me without wheels, even for 48 hours, it's like an able bodied person losing their legs for 48 hours!! Yes I'm sure they wouldn't die, but it's just too cruel, and totally avoidable.

Then there is my Mum, who was so made up last week, because I managed extra visits because I was able to cycle there. It was great!!

Anyway, I don't really know why I'm telling you all this, because you know better than most the impact of being immobile has on so many lives now.

Believe me I have searched out alternatives, as part of my role as Welfare Officer with the Inclusive Cycling Forum. Yes there are a few bike mechanics, that do emergencies (a bit like the AA) but they don't operate, within a mile of your home. Which considering all my daily runs, are within a mile. That's no good. My local 'Bike Tree' have kind of admitted that they can't help me, if the gears break again. And It cost me £50 plus £30 taxi fare and 24hrs to take it to Recycle last time.

I must have been shown a hundred times how to do simple repairs, and I have so many cycle enthusiasts, around the country, who'll be at the end of a phone. But s'times I just want to be INDEPENDANT.

Please Can you vouch for me Steve Marsden (CTC), that 1) I have searched out and priced all sorts of cycles, to use as a spare, and in your experience of me and my capabilities, the safer option would be another Recumbent. The cheapest and most suitable is an Anura for £1195. It is sold by the same company I bought my first one from, it's the nearest and it's in Melbourne Derbyshire. They will deliver it.

Sorry it's long winded.

Thank you.