I’m a walking quadriplegic. In June 2011 a cycling accident left me with a C5/6/7 spinal cord injury - paralysed and with almost no sensation from the shoulders down. From the moment I regained consciousness I’ve held a passionate belief that I would recover from this devastating injury. Combined with the energy I have drawn from my support community, good medical care and therapy and a slice of luck, that belief has enabled me to defy the odds. Within 10 weeks of my accident, I walked out of hospital. In the two years since, I have faced the challenges of repairing my body and rebuilding my life, whilst also supporting my family, whose lives were turned upside down by the accident. Today, I still face many physical and other challenges, but my belief that things will be fine and that opportunity lies ahead drives me on.

My next major goal is to complete a 10k walk. I have signed up for the Standard Chartered 10k Challenge in Singapore on 1st December 2013. To date, the furthest I have walked is about 5km. That takes me about 90 minutes. So, my goal Is to double my distance, and I will likely be walking for 3 hours or more. That’s a very big challenge for me.

The injury has left me with excessive muscle tone and spasticity and constant neuropathic pain. But I can walk and I am fully functional and independent. I know that most people with this injury never walk again and many face a lifetime of serious medical complications. I know I’m very lucky, and I’m very grateful.

Today, there is no cure for this injury. But there has been progress and researchers are getting closer to therapies that would help restore function and transform the lives of paralysed people. I want to support that. I will be raising funds for Spinal Research, a UK based charity funding medical research around the world to develop reliable treatments for paralysis.

Please help me do that. And wish me luck!

 

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