How a game of rugby changed my life forever
On the 5th November 2014, the last thing I can remember was looking up at the sky not knowing what was happening. Five minutes into a rugby game changed my life forever. I was rushed to the hospital and told I had a spinal cord and brain injury. Little did I know the biggest uphill battle of my life was still to come. Initially, in denial, I was not listening to doctors or accepting my injury. I was angry, upset and hated my life. The psychological challenge was and is immense and I suffer from PTSD due to my accident. Also learning about what I can and can’t do has been difficult to adapt to and I’m still learning. However, for every negative, there have been many positives.
I have been up Mount Snowdon in my wheelchair, married the love of my life, got back into work and became active again. My hunger and desire to succeed has increased and my wheelchair will not stop me. My family and friends who have been there to support me have dragged me through the hard times and I wouldn’t be here without them today! This year I started working with Sunrise Medical and Quickie wheelchairs. I have since gone on to become an ambassador for them. I have achieved things that I never thought I could and having this injury has opened up so many doors for me. It has made me a stronger person. I will always try and see the positive of being a wheelchair user, the free parking isn’t so bad and I will never have scuffed shoes again. This is my life now, but there will be a cure and I will be on my feet again!!
