Today we draw the portrait of Benjamin, alias Ben Rockafella on Instagram, who lives in Bastogne in Belgium, a very touristic and very green city (ecologically speaking and in terms of flora and fauna).

After undergoing surgery for a badly herniated disc, Benjamin wakes up paralyzed, his legs limp, arms and shoulders and hands weak and with little mobility. After 4 years of rehabilitation, he was able to recover the usage of his legs, despite severe pain and a reduced mobility of his hands, and he is still recognized as having a 50% physical disability.

Unable to use other means of locomotion equipped with handlebars, he therefore began to practice overboard, then discovered the unicycle thanks to Mr Flex's videos on Youtube.

 

Since when do you practice the unicycle and what is your use?

At the start of the confinement I began to train relentlessly to finally tame this incredible machine. Today after roughly 3 months of practice I am very comfortable and more flexible on my wheel! I use it to run small errands in the various stores nearby, every day, when the weather allows it, to take beautiful walks with my brother (who’s using an electric scooter) with whom we have shared an apartment for 3 years. Today it is therefore an alliance of pleasure and incredible mobility for me and unthinkable via other devices.

 

What is your opinion on the unicycle?

Since I am totally comfortable on my wheel I have a sliding sensation close to skiing. Before any use of gadgets such as the overboard or the unicycle I thought that it was a means of locomotion of "lazy" since considering the musculature of my legs and the flexibility of my pelvis I integrated the fact that I was then far from the account. It's still quite physical. And there isn't a day that I don't use my wheel. It has become a real need in my daily life, it relaxes me, clears my mind. And more frequently allows me to visit my parents who do not have to find a parking space each time I go there.

 

What safety equipment do you use?

I wear a full-face motorcycle helmet, motocross goggles, reinforced gloves and during more risky sessions I use elbow and knee pads. I also bought an electronic horn with 4 rings that can be operated by hand. So I have it in my pocket and I can warn walkers and cyclists on the ravel and pedestrians in town so as not to endanger anyone.

 

How do others view you and your V5F?

My parents and my brother, aware of my personal history and my serious physical problems, were very skeptical, which after having managed to physically recover my mobility then presented a new challenge.

Users are very receptive to my story and my practice: they are therefore full of questions about this practice. I insist on this fact: if someone who is recognized as having a 50% physical disability can do so, then it is within everyone's reach. You have to find your center of gravity and balance through training and then the pleasure of riding is just phenomenal.

 

 Photo par Ben Rockafella

Photo par Ben Rockafella  DR

 

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