Approximately 3 people a day every year have an accident that ends in permanent paralysis due to spinal cord injury. In March 2004 while on my university ski trip I had an accident that changed my life. After not landing a jump right I broke my back (L1) which left me paralysed from the waist down.
Within the year while back at university I took my first ski trip with the charity The Back-Up Trust. I wasn’t worried about skiing again as I have been skiing since I was 8 but I did worry that I wouldn’t be as good or enjoy it as much. I needn’t have worried as by the end of the first week I was back doing black runs and had a feeling back that I hadn’t had since been in a chair.
I have always said that my accident wouldn’t change me and although I would say I am still the same person, if I hadn’t had my accident I would definitely be doing something very different.
In November 2005 I got in to the British Development squad and spent the season out in Canada training with the Embassy disabled ski programme. Racing is fairly different to the recreational skiing that I have been used to in the past but already I get a lot out of it.
Although I have always loved my sport I was never going to represent my country at anything. My accident has given me an opportunity for me to get to the Winter Paralympics in Vancouver 2010, something that would not have happened before. I am at the perfect time in my life having just finished university to grab this chance and see how far I can get!
Excellent work on the new sponsorship Penny. I’ll resist the “Mars a day…” gags! Hope all is going well and the season isn’t too demanding. Off to Whistler on the 9th March to play in all the snow they’ve had. Are you skiing anywhere at the end of the season. We need to sort out a ski soon.
All the best mate.
Ferg
I hope you’re going to make it!