Gratitude
As I write this I am struggling to comprehend that last month I celebrated the 6th Anniversary of my second birthday! I will explain. On the 28th of June, 2024 it was 6 years from the day that my life was altered by a life changing accident as those of you that follow the blog will know.
My prognosis was not good, but I chose to fight and do everything that I could to make the chances of a positive outcome as high as they could be. I was, I have been told hours from not being here, hence the second birthday. I will be forever grateful to the emergency services and the first responders on the day (including the kids step Dad Paul) for saving my life.
To that end, I sit here writing this having made an almost a full recovery :) I am back working having taken medical retirement following the accident and am back competing in Triathlon, the sport I love. I have stuck around to see many amazing things since, not least Hannah graduating last month from Abertay and Aimee and Andrew studying at University too. And hence the title of this blog….Gratitude.
There are likely aspects of me that I probably won’t ever get back, but I think they have been more than replaced by the ever changing and hopefully improving version of me you see. The body is an amazing bit of kit if we have patience and give it the support and encouragement to get better. We keep learning till the day we die do we not.
The help and support I have received from family, friends, the medical profession and several charities has been incredible, and I wouldn’t be where I am without it. Another lesson in the importance of having great people in your life.
The main purpose of this blog is to let you know that I am taking part in the Triathlon in 2 weeks in Aberfeldy that I was training for in 2018 when I suffered the RTA leading to my 5 weeks in a coma and various injuries. Given the first thing I heard on coming out of the coma was you may never walk again and be in a wheelchair for the rest of your life I guess I have made good progress. Proof that with a positive mindset anything is possible.
I would like to take this opportunity competing in a race I thought I would never see, to raise some money for The Oxygen Works and Headway Highland for the amazing work they do in the Highlands and to say thank you for all they have done for me these last 6 years :) any money you can spare would be gratefully received. I am forever humbled and grateful for the amazing work they do and any part I can play in helping that extend further.
