By William Moncrieff, Communications Officer
35 years ago, Mike Thomas’s world was turned upside down when he was left with life-changing injuries following a skiing accident in Maribel, France. Mike was airlifted to hospital and what followed has been a journey of resilience, strength and hard work.
Mike had an active lifestyle growing up, often taking to the outdoors in search of his next adventure in sports such as cave diving or skiing. After his accident though, he found it hard to find the right sport for him. This was until he tried hand cycling.
He said: “I am paralysed from the waist down. It took a while to get out and about. I went back diving again and it wasn’t quite the same diving in a dry suit when you can’t control your legs. I discovered hand cycling about 25 years ago and it is just the best thing since sliced bread.”
Viewing it as one of the most accessible sports for individuals with a spinal injury, Mike feels like he is constantly benefiting from the inclusive sport.
“It gets you out and about, it’s great exercise, it gets you places you can’t go normally,” Mike commented.
His adventurous spirit soon found him embarking on a cycling challenge from Edinburgh to St Andrews but he hasn’t stopped there. Now aged 66 years old, Mike continues to sign up to the annual Ride to the Sun challenge – a 100-mile cycle route from Carlisle to Crammond. A feat that often takes him nine hours to complete.
Since taking up hand cycling, Mike has hand cycled 110,000 kilometers and he feels that the many physiological benefits have impacted him in his day-to-day life.
He remarked, “One of the most important things you can do with a spinal injury, is keep your weight under control. It makes things like transferring so much easier.”
Furthermore, he said: “It’s good for your health, your mental health, your wellbeing, it’s good socially. It’s a win-win.”
Having witnessed firsthand the many benefits sports and physical activity have, Mike has also become a volunteer. He hopes to show other individuals what inclusive sport can provide.
“I remember back to when I started – life changes when you have a spinal injury, it’s not as good as it was before and some doors shut and others open. You can still get out there and have a really decent life and I would say that hand cycling is a part of that,” Mike said.
Through his volunteering with Spinal Injuries Scotland, Thistle Outdoors and the Adaptive Riders Collective, Mike has been working hard to show people what is possible.
“If you have a spinal cord injury you need your wheelchair for mobility, your standing frame for your health and your hand cycle for your freedom,” he said.
Now sitting on the Board of Trustees with the Adaptive Riders Collective, Mike is extremely proud of the work that is being done by the charity. The charity provides individuals with disabilities the opportunity to try cycling in a friendly, inclusive and accessible environment. Mike reflected o this, saying: “When he [Neil Russel, Founder of Adaptive Riders Collective] asked me to be a Trustee of the charity, I absolutely jumped at the chance, because what he is doing is absolutely fantastic.”
The sense of pride that Mike feels about the work that is being done is heightened whenever he has an opportunity to join the charity on a ride.
He said: “The mental health aspect to hand cycling is immense. They talk about green spaces, what we do with ARC, we are out around the Trossachs, and the views are amazing. You are getting to places you wouldn’t get to normally and it’s just really uplifting.”
If you would be interested in finding out more about the Adaptive Riders Collective, and how you can get involved, you can contact them via their website.
Alternatively, visit the Scottish Disability Sport website to find out about sporting opportunities within your region.
To keep up to date with all things disability sport across Scotland, follow Scottish Disability Sport on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.