A trike for Emily

Hi, I'm Emily. I'm a busy mum of four boys. I'm also a double below knee amputee and have the autoimmune disease Lupus. I'm raising funds to buy a recumbent trike, which will mean that I can get as active as possible and be able to do simple things like the school run under my own steam - things able-bodied people take for granted.  It will also allow me to get out and have fun with my family.


The Back Story:
I've been an amputee for nine years, the end result of serious injuries to both feet and ankles that happened over twenty years ago. Three years ago I was also diagnosed with Lupus and had to give up my much loved career, working with people overcoming addictions, to focus on managing my health and raising my children.
 

I have had a lot of problems with my residual limbs, requiring more surgeries, and ongoing problems with prosthetic fitting resulting in complications such as deep blisters which can take months to heal.  As a result I struggle to walk as much as I would like to. Since lupus affects the small joints in my hands, I often can't push myself in a manual wheelchair so I rely a lot on a powerchair, particularly for the school run. This gets the job done but doesn't provide any exercise and is very restricted in terms of the terrain it can manage.
 

The Trike:
In August 2018, I was able to try out a recumbent trike for the first time, when my local authority (Plymouth) bought an ICE Adventure trike to be loaned out to disabled people. I hadn't cycled since I was a child, I cant balance or bend my knees well enough to ride an upright bike and I hadn't considered cycling as an option for me. Trying the trike was a revelation. I hadn't moved so fast under my own steam for years and the feeling of freedom was incredible!  Even though I was quite unwell with a lupus flare and needing portable oxygen for my first try, I could do it!
 

After that first ride, I booked the trike for the maximum available trial period of one month so that I could see how well it would work for me in my daily life. I had an amazing month using it for family outings, school runs, hospital appointments and general boosts of joy. I was able to suss out what set up works best for me and my grumpy body, work on building my strength and stamina and enjoy getting moving in a way that plays to my body's strengths whilst accommodating its challenges. For me, the trike functions as a kind of upper leg powered wheelchair.
 

ICE Trikes is a Falmouth-based company, so I went to visit them, tried out all their trikes and got advice on the best set up for me. I've also been supported in this voyage of discovery by Freetrike Rehab, who will be supplying my trike.
 

The Costs:
Because my health fluctuates so much, and my lungs are frequently affected, I need a trike with E-Assist, which will help me with pedalling and keep me moving even when I'm too unwell to tackle Plymouth’s many hills. I need to raise a total of £5000 to buy the trike I need, an ICE Adventure with Shimano electric assist. I am working hard on sourcing charitable funding, and have secured some support, but it will not cover this level of cost.
 

How you can help:
Being able to ride out with my kids for pleasure or even just on the school run has filled my life and theirs with so much joy and hugely improved my mental and physical health. Over half term I have been lucky enough to borrow a trike again, and my husband Pete and I along with one of our sons will be attempting our very own cycle marathon.  A 26-mile ride around Burrator Reservoir.  We are very much hoping that you will sponsor us to do so. Every penny towards making my new found freedom a permanent reality counts. If you're not in a position to donate, please consider supporting this fundraiser by sharing with your friends and family. Thank you so much.  Em, Pete and the boys.