Epilepsy and riding

Guest · Posted: 12:41 - 03 Jul 2003 Post subject: Epilepsy and riding

Hi All,

I have epilepsy, I have episodes (seizures) once every 3 months,
I wake up in the morning on the day of an episode and either have an episode immediately on waking or very rarely during the day.

I always have this indication on the morning of an episode and would know I was going to have a "Bad Day".

Why can I not be trusted to ride a bike??? I mean, we've all seen some of the crazy mother fuckers, i mean i saw a guy shagging a pig !!!!!!!!
Your views would be appreciated,

Matt.

chunkielad · Nearly there... Joined: 30 Jul 2002 Karma :

Hmmmmm let me think why they won't let you on a bike....

... risk to all road users comes to mind!!!
____________________
Mark Harrison R.I.P - 26th March 2003.
Remember you always and will ride in your honour.
Big revvs up for Mark!

Jon · Anyone for donuts? Joined: 28 Oct 2002 Karma :

I wouldn't like to see you on the road cause there is a good chance you could have a seizure resulting in serious injury and/or death to yourself or other people.

czech_mate · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 23 Dec 2002 Karma :

sorry to hear that,but if you get an episode or whatever on the bike it wouldnt be much fun..... Rolling Eyes

Guest · Posted: 12:47 - 03 Jul 2003 Post subject:

seems we didnt read very well did we, I never have a seizure that is not pre indicated by several hours !!!!!! plenty of time to stop there.

Jon · Anyone for donuts? Joined: 28 Oct 2002 Karma :

There is still that *chance* of having an unexpected seizure though

Guest · Posted: 12:55 - 03 Jul 2003 Post subject:

There is an isolated chance that you may have a seizure or a stroke on the road also ??

At least I know what to expect !!

Susi · Whitton Girl Joined: 06 Jun 2003 Karma :

One of the main reasons for it would be for your own safety. I mean I can understand where you're coming from. It's not fair that people who suffer from some sort of disability should be excluded from any type of recreation, but the matter of the fact is that the law would rather have you safe than have you put yourself and others at risk of endangerment.

As for the feeling you get in the mornings of a 'bad day', yes it's probably true that you get some type of warning, but it's not possible for this to be proven scientifically. So no medic would even risk saying your condition is stable enough for you to control and give you the go ahead.

It's a bit of downer really, but there's isn't much you can do.
____________________
Sometimes, I like to think I'm 'spe-cial'.

chunkielad · Nearly there... Joined: 30 Jul 2002 Karma :

The sad fact is that Epilepsy is a very unusual illness which can have a pattern for years but then change overnight. My children walk down the streets and if a bike hit them and I later found the rider to be epileptic, I would batter the rider for being stupid enough to get on a bike with such a debilitating illness and the sue the DVLA for allowing him or her on the road.

At the end of the day, no matter how unfortunate you are to have this illness, you would not be safe on a bike. Idiot riders can only be taken off the road when they do something wrong but unwell drivers can be stopped before an accident occurs.
____________________
Mark Harrison R.I.P - 26th March 2003.
Remember you always and will ride in your honour.
Big revvs up for Mark!

Demonic69 · The Pink Rhino Joined: 31 May 2002 Karma :

I think it's silly. More people fall asleep at the wheel and we allow those who haven't just had 8 hours kip on the roads. If you had any kind of accident you'd be blamed, but, I assume, you've considered that.
I think you should be allowed on the road, more than half of these psycho 17 year old Nova boys should be.
____________________
Back on a Blade. Just feels so right.

Hex · Party Boy Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

From an insurance point of view they would see you as a huge risk surely, and as such most would probably not insure you and those that would would probably charge you the earth for basic cover Sad

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Monkey hanger, Born and bred
My little photo portfolio

Jon · Anyone for donuts? Joined: 28 Oct 2002 Karma :

Why don't you start offroading then? There are people out there with epilepsy who do trials and all that. Ridings Riding, you're not on the road but you'll still get the riding experience!

Guest · Posted: 13:13 - 03 Jul 2003 Post subject:

Thanks Susi, I appreciate the points made but in actual fact it can and has been proven that indicating factors do occur. Long term EEG monitoring has been able to view patterns in my temporal lobe (brain) on the mornings of an episode. And have at the same time indicated my knowledge of an impending attack to my specialist.

Also, if you are able to prove that you have only had episode at night for at least 3 years (UK Law) you will then be given the opportunity to ride / drive again.

Chunkielad, your opinion is noted and having considered it I would have to say you obviously couldn't go and live in New Zealand where there is no "broad Epilepsy and driving rule" they consider each individual case on its own merits because perhaps they have the time to do so!! Does this make their law "Stupid" or perhaps just a little more practical and considerate?

Guest · Posted: 13:20 - 03 Jul 2003 Post subject:

The Purpose of my wanting to ride/drive is to get from A to B and have a degree of independence in my life. Yes I could get a bus/taxi but that is impractical and expensive.

Off roading wouldn't really help with that, But thanks for the suggestion.

Oh by the way, I can be trusted to have a shotgun licence ???

Susi · Whitton Girl Joined: 06 Jun 2003 Karma :

Guest · Posted: 13:46 - 03 Jul 2003 Post subject:

Thanx Susi,

A degree of Humour, just helped me back from the precipes of serious bloke with a chip on my shoulder.

I think that some times I just get p****d off at the fact that I can't do anything without having to get a lift from my girlfriend or biker pals.

I'm trying to run my business at the mo and the driving thing is just really frustrating.

chunkielad · Nearly there... Joined: 30 Jul 2002 Karma :

I get you Matt but I just can't accept that epileppsy is a safe thing to have whilst in charge of a dangerous weapon such as a vehicle. As far a shot guns go, you could just drop the thing when a siezure starts I suppose?!?!?!

I don't want to offend you, please understand it's just a personal opinion.

As far as New Zeland is concerned then no, I wouldn't live there but not because of the epilepsy whilst driving rule in particular, it just isn't my kind of place.
____________________
Mark Harrison R.I.P - 26th March 2003.
Remember you always and will ride in your honour.
Big revvs up for Mark!

retrofly · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Feb 2002 Karma :

Susi · Whitton Girl Joined: 06 Jun 2003 Karma :

chunkielad · Nearly there... Joined: 30 Jul 2002 Karma :

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

Good luck getting it sorted. Can it not be controlled with any form of treatment?

A neighbours brother has epilepsy and drives, having had to give up for a few years until the course of treatment they were on was proven to be successful

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

Demonic69 · The Pink Rhino Joined: 31 May 2002 Karma :

My Neighbour was sacked from driving busses when he found out he had Diabetes! He's never suffered any kind of attack and it's controlled so easily but they still saw him as a risk.
I wonder how the world would be if people just forgot to divulge such info.
Much happier I reckon Very Happy

____________________
Back on a Blade. Just feels so right.

Guest · Posted: 15:13 - 03 Jul 2003 Post subject:

Thanks all,

I think I've made my mind up now!!

Hex · Party Boy Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Lee · Trackday Trickster Joined: 02 Jul 2003 Karma :

My friend was told he cannot ride anymore due to epilepsy Sad

The silly thing is, he is still aloud to drive his car Question

That makes no sense to me, as he could cause alot more damage and hurt alot more people if he was to have a seizure in a car Rolling Eyes

Makes me wonder what they smoke down at the DVLA.........