Photo Credit: swpix.com.
So this year, 2019, is 10 years since I was severely injured in Afghanistan. It’s made me reflect on the last 10 years and the opportunities that I have had in that time that have made me who I am today. First of all, I’m very grateful to have survived the injuries that I sustained and I apply that outlook to my life everyday.
The 10 years started with some very intensive recovery. After 11 operations and coming out of a coma, I spent a long time in hospital to get to a place where I could be sent to Headley Court and receive some of the best recovery treatment from the British Army. Even this stage had it’s set backs, after catching an infection that took me back into hospital, at that time felt like my whole world was falling apart.
On the day of the 10th anniversary of my injuries, my fiancé and I sat down and made a list of some of the things that I went on to do in the last 10 years. Post injury, once I was back on my feet and had learnt to walk again, I had so much that I wanted to see if I could do. So I had a great idea, to do a lot in a small space of time! Here are some of my biggest achievements:
2010 – Lawya Half Marathon
2010 – US Marine Core Marathon Washington
2011 – Trek to the North Pole unsupported
2011 - Mount Grand Paradiso Summit
2011 - Mount Manaslu Summit
2012 - Everest Attempt
2012 - Carried Olympic torch at London Olympics
2012 - Bolton Ironman
2012 - NYC Marathon
2013 - Mount McKinley Summit
2013 – British National Road Circuit Champion
2014 – British National Title track cycling
2014 – Double Gold at Invictus Games London
2016 – Gold at Invictus Games Orlando
2016 - Grand Paradiso 2nd summit
2016 - Carrera Austral Patagonia
2017 - Mount Aconcagua Summit
2017 - Race Across America
2018 - Bronze Medal for Great Britain ParaCycling Team in World Championships
2019 - ABSA Cape Epic – World’s toughest MTB race
2019 – Silver medal in Road Cycling World Championships for Great Britain in Emmen
The mental struggle
A lot of people ask me about the mental struggle, how that compared to the physical struggle and how I got through that. The truth is, it was tough, but I wouldn’t change any of it. All of it has shaped me into who I am today and I hope to help and inspire others to get through tough times too. Life does go on, and it’s completely up to you, with the support of others, how you’re going to spend it.
There were days when I wondered why I did survive, but I did and I am so grateful for that and to all of those people who played a part in me pulling through to be here today.
My advice
Now for me, hiding away and feeling sorry for myself was never going to be an option. I knew I had so much to give and so much I wanted to show to my loved ones that it wasn’t over for me. My injuries helped me find passions and people that I love and I might not have known. At the time when you’re going through something challenging, it might not feel like this but it’s very often that you can look back and understand why you went through that.
Make sure you have the right people around you, who believe in you and support you. Don’t be afraid to use them, sometimes it’s easy to think you’re going to be a burden on someone, but trust me, they’d rather you reach out than suffer alone.
Set yourself realistic but challenging goals, and don’t stop until you get there. It’s amazing what we’re capable of when we want something badly enough.
Never give up. Ever. One step forward is one step in the right direction.
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