About me

the story

before

I was 23 years old. I had spent the past 5 years in medical school, and had worked as a junior doctor for 8 months. I had friends, a career, a great girl, and a diverse set of interests. If I wasn’t at work I would be either sleeping, eating, or running around outside.

I lived a really active lifestyle; I was always cycling, in the gym or playing basketball. I was in the water as much as possible too, swimming with my girlfriend, apnea training or preparing for our next scuba and freediving trip.

I was confident and optimistic about my future. All of that was about to change.

injury

On the 15th of February 2018, I was hit by a car while cycling to work a night shift at my local hospital. It was the day before my girlfriend’s birthday, and also the day before we were due to go diving for two weeks in Indonesia.

I sustained a C4/5 dislocation and spinal cord injury. My scan is on the left. I was admitted to the hospital I was going to work at. My girlfriend was working at the hospital and met me in A&E.

I had emergency surgery that night, and was in a medically induced coma for 10 days.

itu, spinal unit

This is the first photo of me with a spinal cord injury. I can’t remember anything from the ambulance ride to waking up in intensive care 10 days later.

I couldn’t move anything from the neck down, I couldn’t talk, I couldn’t eat, I couldn’t even breathe independently.

I spent 44 days on ITU. Once my diaphragm was strong enough I got off the ventilator and spent 10 days on HDU before moving to the spinal unit in Sheffield.

After 6-months in the spinal unit I was lucky enough to go to STEPS Neuro-rehabilitation, Also in Sheffield. 7 months later I would start my transition home.

now

I spent 15 months in hospital. I was admitted when I was 23, And I went home when I was 25. I entered young and optimistic, and I left older and wiser. I’m hoping to use what I’ve learnt and what I’ve lost to help other people face the challenges in their lives.

I have lost a lot but I still have my voice, and I intend to use it.