Jamie has Cerebral Palsey and is quadraplegic with limited use of his right hand. Jamie uses a 'Jazzy' electric wheelchair but has never "run around" in the woods or grass as kids do on their bikes. Jamie has driven a Jetski on flat open water and a quad bike.
The amount of enjoyment transforms him and relaxes him allowing relaxed muscles and much fulfilment.

Jamie was very excited to meet Eddie Kid and the PDQ Power Trike Road show and try the powertrike adaptation of a wheel chair on this day he proved he could control the powered wheel chair.

The much anticipated Power Trike arrived along with a new wheel chair recommended and supplied by the agent. However even the PDQ video warned that the combination may tip over. Within a few weeks Jamie had tipped over the PDQ adapted wheelchair two times and with no strength and one arm could not save the fall and once down he was helpless.

In my opinion (his Uncle Chris a qualified production engineer) the narrow wheel chair with 24inch wheels - The speed (just try to slow down a 13yr old) and the limited stability with the high mounted heavy battery meant a serious accident was inevitable.

The third fall was major and really shook Jamie - for 18 months he wanted nothing to do with the power trike that had cost over £1500

I took the PDQ front end and an old wheelchair, a go kart seat, some tube and best mate Ian with his welder and came up with this

My aim was to give him the opportunity to have fun in alternative terrain not to go to the shops on his own. Jamie will always be transferred into the trike from his regular electric wheelchair so it does not need the self assembly designed in by PDQ. He won't be using it indoors as it is too big and he cant unhook the the power trike and go into a shop in a manual wheel chair . For shopping he will always have his regular electric wheelchair..

The centre of gravity of the new chassis is as low as possible by dropping the seat down low.

Jamie has limited leg extension so the frame and seat had to be fitted around his body limitation.

The wheel base is wider at 36inches and the wheels are raked at an angle.

The wheels are 20inch BMX rims laced onto wheelchair quick release hubs

The seat was padded with layers of bubble wrap and gaffa tape to mould the seat to Jamies boney bum.

The Pommel was added to stop his legs rubbing together and on the chassis.

The controls were grouped on the right hand side.

The weak throttle return spring and intermittent "coasting" switch on the hand brake are still to be improved upon.

To secure Jamies feet a pair of size 10 sandals were bolted to foot pegs.

They are big enough for his own shoes to fit inside and the extended Velcro tapes hold them secure.

The trike when stationary rolled away.

There is a parking hand brake on the handle bar but Jamie was not able to use this.

A wheelchair parking brake was added for the right side with a remote extension (from a lawn mower speed control) added to the left wheelchair parking brake.

At first 22inch wheelchair wheels with skinny grey indoor tyres were used with the easy removable hub to strip the machine down for transportation. After initial trike trials proved successful I was determined to make the wheels smaller to lower the centre of gravity but mainly to make the overall proportions look "sexy". I had the hubs re-laced onto 20inch BMX rims with the widest tyres possible to add flotation and grip over soft ground.

But again more importantly cos they look cool and other kids could identify with the machine

Initially the battery was left in the original position on top of the handle bars.

After various trials Jamies confidence grew and eventually he managed to launch himself off a tree root and tip the new trike. The wide placed wheels stopped him hitting the ground broadside and the experience did not shake him for more than a few minutes. But it inspired me to reposition the battery to increase the stability while also removing the inherent inbalance.

The most recent adventures have proven safe, exciting and enjoyable though without the weight over the wheel the more extreme slopes have to be avoided, as the front wheel just wheelspins. (But then not all cars can climb steep hills - you just have to know your limitations.)

One important factor while doing this project was to create a vehicle that did not look "medical". The feet supports look natural the BMX wheels and Go Kart seat look cool. The result is envious looks. And that is what you need when your 13 years old.
Especially when you are usually seen in a wheelchair.

This is in no way a criticism of PDQ it is OUR experience.

For the right person the PDQ Power Trike and Wheelchair combination can be liberating.

I have a friend who lost a leg in an accident. He gets about on crutches and uses a manual wheelchair. He has never needed or used a conventianal electric wheelchair. He recently started using a PDQ Power Trike with a manual wheel chair and loves it. He goes to the local library and shops and for the first time in year can ride on grass next to his daugter on her bike. BUT he can still ride a motorbike - has balancing skills - is in his 40s - has extreeme uper body strength and one good leg - he can transfer himself (hopping) - he can disconect the PDQ front end and can propel the wheelchair by hand.

P.S Dont let your little sister on your "hog"

Jamies 7 yr old brother Mat also enjoys the experience of driving Jamies adapted Power Trike but 6 year old sister Becky found the concept of throttle - brake and steering all too much. On her first attempt she drove at top speed through a bush and over her mum, aunty and grandad who was sacrificing himself to stop her. Becky now has even more respect for her BIG brother who can handle his "PDQ HOG".

And even more kudos for "Reflex Ron" her grandad.

PPS Jamies back opperation

Jamie 16years old in 2006 had an operation in 2004 on his back to straighten his spine. This involved cutting him from pelvis to neck and titanium rods wired to the spine. The consultant said that Rugby players that have had the same operation can be match fit after a year. We are hoping Jamie will be back in his Powertrike in summer 2006 but we are all scared of lifting him without his hoist. Ho Hum