Family fun seems to always revolve
around batteries

"OK obviously laptops, iphone's, Nintendo - but lets get outside"

"Many of our kids toys have been battery powered or have been started by a battery"

"Then there is Jamie.... My son Jamie has CP and has used an electric wheelchair since he was three years old. His wheel chair gives him the independence that most of us take for granted. Now that's a neat trick that relies on batteries"

"We have all enjoyed Quads, Buggies and Jet skies"

"However Jamie has never "run around" in the woods or grass as kids do on their bikes so he was very excited to meet Eddie Kid and the PDQ Power Trike Road show when he was 13 years old and tried the powertrike adaptation of a 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 and within a few weeks speed freak Jamie had tipped over the adapted wheelchair two times and with no strength and use of only one arm he could not save himself in the fall. The narrow wheel chair with 24inch wheels and heavy battery meant a serious accident was inevitable".

"So something had to be done 'Uncle Chris' came up with this idea"

Chris says - I took the PDQ front end and an old wheelchair, a go kart seat, some tube and me and best mate Ian with his welder put this together. My aim was to give Jamie the opportunity to have fun in alternative terrain not to go to the shops, school or around the house. I also aimed to make the overall proportions look "sexy". I felt it important to create a vehicle that did not look "medical". I wanted it to look cool so that other kids could identify with the machine.
The result is envious looks. And that is what you need when your 13 years old.
Especially when you are usually seen as "different" in a wheelchair.

The center of gravity of the new chassis is dropped as low as possible dropping the seat down low. The wheel base is wider at 36inches and the wheels are raked at an angle. The wheels are 20inch BMX rims, with the widest tyres possible to add flotation and grip over soft ground, re-laced onto wheelchair quick release hubs. The go kart seat was padded with layers of bubble wrap and gaffa tape to mould the seat to Jamie's bone bum. The Pommel was added to stop his legs rubbing together and on the chassis (looks a bit like a tank) . To secure Jamie's feet a pair of 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.

Initially the battery was left in the original position on top of the handle bars but after various trials Jamie's 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 in balance.

More 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 wheel spins. (But then not all cars can climb steep hills - you just have to know your limitations.)

This report 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.
We now have met many who use PDQs at festivals like 'Download'

P.S Don't let your little sister on your "Hog"
(At 7 yr old) brother Mat also enjoyed the experience of driving Jamie's adapted Power Trike but (then) 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 granddad 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 granddad.

Post Note
Jamie is now 21 and learning to drive a VW Caravelle - now thats scary.
Another battery opportunity.