For Max Burt, November 2nd 1999 was a life-changing day. He had recently married and was about to move into a new home with his wife. He had also just resigned from his job as Head of Planning for a major advertising agency to start a new business. Then, on his usual route home from work that day, he was involved in a collision with a fire engine answering an emergency call.

The accident left him with severe head injuries that mean he is unable to balance, or walk, or talk properly. Today Max uses a wheelchair permanently, is partially paralysed down his left side, with severe tremors in his right arm, and with a severe speech impairment, and sight and hearing impairments.

It’s a terrible irony that the man who was a central figure in the advertising business, and in particular in the ‘It’s Good to Talk’ advertising campaign for BT, now has huge difficulties with his speech.

Max in the disability community 

Since his accident, Max has become involved with many disability-related organisations. He has been part of the Government backed steering group, ‘Images of Disability’. He is an Associate Member of both the Employers Forum on Disability (EFD), and the Broadcasting and Creative Industries Disability Network (BCIDN). He has been a committee member of the National Association of Disabled Football Supporters.

In the past, Max was also chosen as a finalist for the Stelios Disabled Entrepreneur of the Year Award, 2007, one of the British Chambers of Commerce Annual Business Awards. 

Why cycle?

To keep fit, Max uses a reclining exercise cycle every day. While doing so, it occurred to him to set himself a goal which would encourage him to continue his fitness regime. This is when the idea for the Everything is possible in life cycle was first formed.

Not one for doing things by halves, in 2009 Max first decided to turn this into a bigger opportunity to change how disabled people are perceived. He saw this journey as the best way to begin to change the attitudinal obstacles that he comes across on a daily basis.