How it all Started Determination
Three years ago, nothing meant more to me than to help Shane fulfill his dreams of riding again. I was willing to do anything I could to make it happen. Being only 19 and a full time student, there was no way I could have afforded to buy another motorcycle so I decided to modify mine and give it to him. When I told my peers about my vision, they told me I was crazy. They could not get past the fact that I was giving away my motorcycle. Even some of the academics at university doubted my determination and dedication and thought I would never finish. When I told people in the disability industry about my vision, they told me it could not be done. But this did not phase me. All I wanted was to see a smile on Shane's face and I was determined to do it. I started a lonely journey. Missed OpportunitiesThus began the long, cold, sleepless nights in the garage pulling my motorcycle to pieces to see how it all worked, searching the internet and reading disability journals to learn more about the different disabilities. All so I could see a stranger smile. Eventually I felt confident I knew enough about both disabilities and motorcycles to start the design, seeking expert advice from industry where needed. Luckily enough, a few people saw my determination and encouraged me to build the motorcycle. The university said I could do this as part of my project but I had to get my own funding. It was then I was informed about the 2003 Nescafe Big Break but I had missed the closing date by two weeks. Ecstatic with JoyI began contacting as many people as I could think of that may be able to help, including almost every disability organisation and motorcycle shop in Western Australia. After calling hundreds of other companies, I eventually got about a dozen sponsors willing to donate their products to the project. I began building a prototype but progress was extremely slow. Every time I needed another part I had to hunt for someone who was kind enough to donate it. I spoke to the head of the engineering department and told him about the problem I was having. I asked him if the university would sponsor me with $1000. He told me to put it in writing and to include a budget for the entire project and he would see what he could do. I sat down and estimated it was going to cost me $8,500 to modify the motorcycle. I sent him an email of this total and the other requested information. I was doubtful of getting the $1000. The university had already knocked me back once. To my surprise, I received a phone call later that afternoon telling me they would set up a project for the full cost of $8,500. I was so excited. This was a huge turning point for the project. Now I could start focusing on the prototype rather than on how I was going to pay for the next part. DisappointmentI began working non stop on the prototype but, before I knew it, the 13 weeks of the semester was nearly over and my deadline was fast approaching. I had spent so much time searching for funding that I was only able to get part way through the first modification - the gear changer. As a result, the university gave me just 59% for the project. I was so disappointed. I had put in so much effort and hours to come up with a design to eventually finally win the support to start building it. But I was determined to not let this to hold me back. I knew I could do it. I convinced the university to let me continue the project as my fourth and final year project. SacrificesRather than partying hard over the summer holidays with my friends or earning extra income through a summer job, I spent my holidays working on the motorcycle. I made a lot of progress in the three months but I still had a long way to go.  When my final year classes began, my progress slowed right down. Assignments, lectures, lab reports, study and so on, were taking up too much time. I knew I wasn't going to be able to complete the motorcycle by the end of the year and keep my grades up at the same time.
I organised with the university to defer the official start of my final year project until the second semester. This meant I would not graduate for another 8 months after my fellow class mates but it also meant I had until half way through 2005 to finish the project. This was a small sacrifice to see the project finished.  Hurdles
Part way through the project, I ran into another brick wall. The bike was costing more than I initially planned and I was running out of money quickly. I applied for Nescafe Big Break for the second year running. This time I made the closing date but I didn't even get through the first round. I began the hunt for more sponsors. Thankfully, UWA kindly increased their level of support again. This time it seemed much easier as I now had some results to show. InspirationI continued to soldier on but it has not always been smooth going.  There have definitely been times where nothing seemed to be going right and I felt like it wasn't worth pursuing. But if I thought my life was hard, I imagined how Shane felt not being able to use his legs. Yet, he always seemed happy and well spirited. I was therefore determined to finish what I had started. It is now coming towards the end of that semester and the bike is almost ready. I have spent well over 4000 hours working on the motorcycle and I am now putting on the finishing touches. Then it will be ready for registration.
MotivationDuring the project I have been fortunate enough to have had a fair amount of involvement with people with disabilities and the disability industry in general.  It is really moving when people with disabilities give me support and encouragement. What is even more moving is when they or people in the industry recognise me. About a month ago, I went to a disability products conference held by a fellow young engineer (rehabilitation engineer) from South Australia. I estimate that out of the hundred or so people about eighty either knew of me or the project. It has obviously made a big impact in the industry and I am being urged to continue my work. Third Time LuckyI have found the work to be extremely rewarding and I would love to continue helping people with disabilities. I believe that there is a huge number of people with disabilities waiting for some new and innovative products to improve their lives and the best thing is that they truly appreciate it. I have researched Dreamfit thoroughly and I believe it is feasible but all it needs is a kick start with some funding.
I am a determined person and, given a chance I will make sure Dreamfit is a raging success just as I did with the paraplegic motorcycle. This is my third year applying for the Nescafe Big Break. I feel last year my ambition to build a motorcycle for a paraplegic may have sounded too ambitious for a university student to achieve. Hopefully this time Nescafe will realise Dreamfit is not merely a dream, but a reality, waiting for a break.
|
