Akay17

Thank you so much for your responses. I completely agree avoiding family to help learn, I had many bad experiences with them trying to help me learn to drive a car. I will look into beginner groups in my area and take it from there. The fall I had was very minor, the bike fell on me as I turned, no injuries however it instilled the fear of being unable to control the bike while moving.

Long story short.. I have grew up in a family of bikers, although my mum and dad seperated when I was young they both had bikes and enjoyed the culture, so we attended many family friendly rallies etc. Although I enjoyed bikes I never should interest in riding myself, however my brother always had off rode bikes and with only 18 months between us I would sometimes have a shot of his. Unfortunately at a young age I had a minor accident on it, which instilled a fear of bikes in me, mainly in my own ability to ride one alone. I built up courage after few years to go on the back of my dads or brothers etc but that’s as far as I could go. I always said I would get over it one day and learn to ride myself, and get my bike licence, unfortunately finances has put that on a back seat just now. My problem is my son, now 4 years old, has shown a love for bikes and enjoys them just as much as my family does. Due to his age we agreed to get him started last year with an electric quad, this allowed us to teach him the basics, how to be safe etc and listening to us when out. I had a quick shot of it and didn’t realise just how fast it went, scared crap out me, especially as I watched him go up and down huge hills on it. We’ve now upgraded him to a small 50cc petrol quad, to allow him to get used to the changes from electric. He’s really good on it and I know he will soon progress to much more powerful ones and then onto motorbikes when he build up more strength. I’ve learnt to put my own fears aside to let him ride it, however I would love to be able to join him as he rides, this would allow us to do so much more together. Basically I’m looking for any advise on overcoming my own fears to get back out and where I’m best to get started.

It can be complicated process, although it’s a very common condition, not many people are properly diagnosed so there’s very little research carried out on it, so lots of GPs don’t think about it when looking at symptoms. I stopped being scanned after I was told if I didn’t develop symptoms by late teens I had all clear, which I later found out was a complete lie, although they mainly appear before 20s or later in life after 40/50. When I approached my GP about it he was very reluctant to do anything and asked me to provide proof of family history which was hard with my brother lIving in Australia now, however after several visits to him he agreed to refer me. The cardiologist dept have been amazing in carrying out tests and specialists willing to keep in touch regularly. They advise gene testing is best way to diagnose but can be challenging to get NHS to agree to it, however I will continue to Persye this.. hope all works out for you and your family x

As a daughter who fell out with her mum many times when learning to drive I can completely sympathise with your situation. I was a very nervous driver while learning, although I knew I had to do it, as the public transport where I stay is horrific. I started lessons at 17, and passed just before 18th birthday, however it was nearly a fail due to a dodgy manoeuvre reverse parking but examiner must’ve been in a good mood to pass me. Half way through practicing my mum and dad chipped in and bought me a petrol 1.0 Peugeot 206 as first car. My mum insured it and added me as named driver so any time we went out I drove and she supervised. My lessons were regularly cancelled/ rescheduled due to various reasons, only having about 15-20 over the year, so I had to get out practicing as much as I could, however the times with my mum often resulted in arguments. She’d try tell me her way, I’d tell her she’s wrong, we’d bicker and scream, several times I got out car to walk. It was horrendous, the only reason I kept going was my determination to be able to drive. My test was January and my mum agreed to pay my insurance for the year, only reason being was she thought I would fail because I was that bad next to her. Proving everyone wrong was amazing. Try not be too hard on her, she will do it when/if she wants, she needs to have her head in it first

Sorry to hear about your diagnoses but it’s a positive you now have a diagnoses as this condition often goes undetected, only found once it’s too late. My brother was diagnosed at 10 years old with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. My grandmother suffered from it, and due to it be passed on through a genetic mutation, we were scanned yearly as children. My dad was told he didn’t have it, which we’ve now found out isn’t the case, he must carry the mutated gene, however it hasn’t yet developed any problems, his heart is larger than normal but he’s a tall/broad 6ft something man so isn’t too worrying. My brothers heart thickness was irregular but did not grow much over his younger years, so he was on beta blockers, the didn’t go down well as he put a lot of weight on and got him down mentally . He didn’t display many symptoms of this affecting him so he stopped tablets as a teen, worst mistake he made. No treatment combined with an unhealthy/risky life he is now 32 years old and recently had open heart surgery due to an major obstruction, left any longer he wouldn’t have made it. He also had a internal defibrillator fitted, however due to his age this is a side one, less complicated if needed fixed or changed later in life. I show no signs at all so continue scans to check, these are every 5 years as my doctor won’t agree to genetic mutation testing, which is a total pain in back side as it feels like a waiting game to see if symptoms appear or not. With all that said, our family live a very normal life. My dad and brother are very avid bikers, total thrill seekers. They haven’t let it stop them doing anything, some they were advised against. My only concern is it being genetic, so if you’ve got it, it’s likely one of your parents did, therefore possibility as sibling also contracted the mutated gene, it’s 50/50 chance, however more likely in males. You should discuss this with gp, and advise anyone possibly affected to get tested. They can do this by speaking to gp, explain situation and they will refer them to cardiologist. Hope this helps, and you keep in good health

Hey, I’m new here so hoping you can all help. Although I grew up in a family of bikers, an accident when I was younger resulted in me not learning to ride a bike, or basically anything about them. My dad, step mum, mum and brother all ride, and are very helpful but looking for a fresh set of opinions, as my family can be a bit one sided. My son (4 and a half) loves anything fast, so to start him off we got him an electric quad last year, which he loved, however it’s just not fast or powerful enough for what he wants it to do. My brother (lives in Australia) has now bought him a 50cc mini quad bike, which was delivered yesterday. My dads getting his mechanic to set it up and give once over for us, so I know it will be safe for him on Christmas Day. This is where I’m stumped, although they will help (in their own way) I feel like a total novice and no idea how to help teach my son to ride it and stay safe while on it. Anyone in similar position got some helpful tips here? Also what’s must have protective clothing? I’ve had a look on line and so many different ones to choose from. We will likely be over park mostly, up and down large hills and through lots of mud. also any tips on how I can keep my nerves settled while he’s on it, not want to scare him although want to make sure he’s safe. thank you