thanks shipmates...
for the kind words, Spinal cord injuries are rare, and most come from stuff like falling off a roof, car wreck, etc. Skateboards, slipping on soap...crazed chipanzee attack. Bike injuries were about 25% responsible for paralysis cases at the rehab I was at.
You're right, I did ride almost every day since I was around 12. Street and dirt, so I should be glad of that, I guess.
Lots of painters & carpenters fall victim to an SCI, most are quads with broken necks. In some respects it could have been a lot worse, as all the other crips at Rehab had high injuries, t-4, t-5. and as a result are totally paralyzed from the CHEST down, and you can't cough or sneeze, with that high injury.
I'm a t-12, the last thorassic verterbre, so I've still got most of my abbs (and balance), I was in pretty good shape when I got nailed, (from desert riding every weekend)so that helped too.
Sold the Dodge pickup, looking for an older 80's sports car, like a Miata. They work good for folks like me, as I can pretty much fold the chain in half, and then poke it in the passenger footwell.
Jeehezus, but there are still shyt loads of motorcycle parts, and basket case motorcycles all over the casa. I still have this old 1950's honda moped, that has a 50cc push-rod motor built into the rear hub, wild. A ratty given XT500 is quietly leaking in the garage, along with the basket case TM250 (I traded it for a TC90 Suzuki with SuperH). Exhaust pipes, bultaco tanks, preston petty fenders,footpegs, nuts/bolts...horns, turn signals...everywhere I look. Rims, Chains. too much to list...
Maybe I need a new hobby. I know, I can finally build that still I've always wanted. White Lightning. Moonshine. Hooch. Can I put you gents down for a few cases?
