Triking?

[Finoni]

Has anyone tried an adult tricycle for a PSP sufferer? My husband would love a trike to use on the rail trail. I know it could not be recumbent as he would never get out of it, but is the leg strength and coordination likely to be okay?

[Heady]

Hi, I have just heard about them myself. So will be interested in any comments!

Lots of love

Heady

[NannaB]

My husband's leg strenth would have been fine when he was first diagnosed, and even now he is totally dependent on others, his legs are still strong. What he wouldn't have been able to do is steer in a straight line or notice things other than those ahead of him. He couldn't/can't see anything coming to the side of him and can't turn his head. He tried my dad's mobility scooter when he was first diagnosed and it was a disaster. Only you know what your husband is capable of so if the trail is straight without obstacles such as dips in the surface, uneven terrain that he would have to negotiate or children on bikes who may cut across him and he couldn't avoid, then perhaps you could hire one and try it out. I'd love to have a go myself.

Good luck.

[Heady in reply to NannaB]

Hi NannaB. That would be S's problem, not been aware of anybody or anything around him. The thought of him in a mobility scooter, well, that grey hair I keep covering needs doing again!!!

Lots of love

Heady

[NannaB in reply to Heady]

He only got to the end of the drive before I managed to persuade him to get off. I've given up colouring my hair. I was having to do it every 4 weeks and on one occasion I had put the dye on and then had to sort C out. By the time I managed to rinse it off, I looked like a daffodil. Now the ukulele group say I am 50 shades of grey!

X

[easterncedar]

Give it a try. anything to keep him moving, even temporarily, is a battle won.

[Finoni]

Thank you all for your wise and thoughtful input. I'm hoping our friend who owns a sport shop will be willing to order a trike with a high seat for him to try out, but I am also unsure about the stability on one like that. We would only go on the rail trail (flat) and it is many miles long so usually fairly deserted - so hopefully no one to run over. It is also quite wide, so plunging into the river should be avoidable!

[carlam]

A couple of years ago I brought my dad to the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Universal Access program on the Norwottuck Rail Trail where you can use their recumbent trikes for an hour once a week. He did so well that summer that we purchased a trike. With my help, he did really well with it. Unfortunately, with his worsening symptoms, he was too afraid to try it the next summer.