abouttalan

Talan Skeels-Piggins is a Double World Champion, European Champion and Winter Paralympian. As the worlds first paraplegic to hold both motorcycle and car race licences, he lives his life to the very best of his ability. With over twenty five years of public speaking experience, Talan is both an inspirational and enlightening speaker, with a unique story to share.

historybooks

Talan entered the history books on 21 June 2012 when he became the first paraplegic to race a motorcycle in an able-bodied race. This has changed the course of motorsport forever, having overcome great odds to achieve something that many thought was impossible. Since then, he has twice become the World Champion 600cc (paralysed class) and become the first paraplegic to become a licenced Motorcycle Race Instructor .

breaking barriers

Paralysed from the chest down in 2003, Talan was an active PE teacher and a serving Lieutenant in the Royal Navy Reserves. After just eight days of being paralysed, Talan claimed he would learn to ski, get into the National Team and represent Great Britain at the 2010 Winter Paralympics. Seven years later he became Britains top placed male skier in the Giant Slalom and Super G events at the 2010 Vancouver Paralympic Games.

In 2006 he claimed a landmark ruling by becoming the first paraplegic to be retained in the Royal Navy on active service. He continued to serve with NATO taking charge of Navigational Safety advice at NATO HQ in Northwood during maritime exercises. This ruling enabled more disabled military personnel to continue to serve their country.

In recognition of Talan’s achievements he has been awarded an Honorary Masters from Chichester University, become BANES Sports Personality in 2010 and was part of the 2012 Olympic Torch Relay during its journey across Great Briton.

The Little Person Inside continued to remind him,

“WHEN TIMES ARE TOUGH YOU MUST KEEP GOING”.