This is something I will never forget.
I was in the next bed in hospital to a 30 something biker whose right arm, back and thigh were almost shredded when he came off in town traffic nipping out on his bike in tee shirt and shorts to get a pizza. He'd been there 4 months in constant severe pain and the donation and receiving grafts had intermittently become infected; two having been redone twice. He still couldn't even sit up.
His distraught wife and two kids visited for hours every day. He had lost his employment as a builder and their flat was at risk.
I sat and chatted to him during my 6 week stay and it is no exaggeration whatsoever to say that he was verging on suicidal.
I have never nor will I ever ride without protective gear.