As part of Disability History Month (14 November to 20 December), we recently shared Huda’s story of how cycling, and the local community, have empowered her and changed her life.

Now, we are bringing you Kuldip’s story who, like Huda, is an experienced bike ride lead from community cycling group Let’s Ride Southall, developing the  Let’s Go Southall social movement to help increase physical activity.

Below, Kuldip shares how his hand bike (a device he attaches to his wheelchair to allow him to cycle) and the community in Southall helped him to stay active and live a full and independent life, before his life changed in 2017.

Here’s Kuldip’s story…

“2017 was terrible. I had a spinal stroke which left me paralysed from the waist down.

“One minute I was walking into hospital with a temperature after contracting a virus on holiday, and the next – my whole world had turned upside down and I couldn’t walk. I ended up spending 8 months in hospital undergoing rehab, and I didn’t know what to do with my life, now I was living with a disability and needed to use a wheelchair.

“I was always active, and the gym was an important part of my life. I wanted to live as I had done before – I needed to rebuild, so by 2020 something had to change.

“A friend who worked with Active Communities Southall introduced me to Let’s Ride Southall, and now I’m now involved in every single strand of the campaign. I’m also a British cycling-accredited bike lead and I’m on the Let’s Go Southall executive board – it’s not even my full-time job.”

‘I don’t see myself as having a disability’

“Let’s Go Southall has given me so many opportunities and it’s helped me to help myself. I no longer see myself as having a disability, and I don’t let my wheelchair get in my way.

“I am a driver, but I choose my hand bike when I can as it’s good for my health. When I’m cycling it’s tranquillity, I don’t have a care in the world. It’s when I’m in my happy place.

“Just the other day, my daughter called, worried about me, I hadn’t realised I’d been out for 3 hours, I’d done 18 miles – that’s almost a Marathon. So, I said: “I’ll be home in an hour”, did 8 more miles and went home.”

‘I’m happy when I’m making a difference’

“I’m also meeting loads of people and having the chance to help them get active and get on a bike. I’m happy when I feel like I’m making a difference, and that’s what Let’s Go Southall is doing for the people of Southall.

“Through our work here in Southall we’re getting lots of people active via our group bike rides, and a huge benefit of that is reducing isolation, breaking down cultural barriers and improving people’s mental health.

“I think seeing me with my hand bike, and being led by me on rides really helps those who are worried about getting on a bike or cycling. It means I can say: ‘If I can do it, so can you’, and I’m there to support them.”

‘I haven’t seen any wheelchair-using cyclists in the borough’

“I haven’t seen any other wheelchair-using cyclists around the borough. Unfortunately, a hand bike is expensive and there are physical barriers that can get in our way. I can’t access the canal for example and there are certain parks with swing gates that I can’t get through. Poor road and cycle lane maintenance can also be a problem.

“In the future, I’d love to see better accessibility for wheelchair users to public spaces and have more people with lived experience working for the council, or more wheelchair users consulted to influence the change.”

‘It’s exciting to be part of the change’

“Being part of this social movement in Southall and helping to reduce health inequalities in a town that I grew up in is very rewarding. It’s exciting to be a part of the change that is taking place and to be part of making a difference to the community.

“I might be an exception, but I’ve never said to myself I can’t do this, and I’ve just carried on as before where I can. My wheelchair doesn’t define the person that I am but has made me a person of determination.

“If there’s anyone out there feeling like I did back in 2017 please reach out – you’re not alone.”

Do you have a disability that stops you from getting on a bike?

If you’re a wheelchair user or have a disability that stops you from getting on a bike, Wheels4Me provides free bike loans for people with a disability and also offers information. You can find out more about the cycle loan scheme on their website.

What is disability history month?

Disability History Month focuses on the history of disabled people and their fight for equality and human rights. Read more on the UK Disability History Month website.