I am one of the volunteers with spinal injuries Scotland So it is a privilege to be able to
speak on behalf of the charity tonight.
I am going to tell you about why SIS so incredible later but first I want to explain a little
bit about myself.
I need to be very clear that this is not a tragic story.
It is a really positive story, an example of how much we can be tested and still enjoy
life afterwards.
I don't tell the story because I want sympathy or I want pity.
A little bit of special attention from the ladies, I will take that but I don't want sympathy or pity.
(Laughter and applause)
My story began back In 2007 I was in Spain for my best friend's stag weekend.
We arrived at the hotel at about two o'clock in the morning.
We had been there for maybe five minutes I decided it would be a great idea to dive in
the swimming pool.
Just as I entered the water, my head smashed into the wall at the opposite end of the pool.
I snapped my neck at the C3 vertebrae.
I will always remember
how terrifying it was
lying face down in the water,
completely paralysed.
I could hear my friends talking at the side of the pool but I knew it was pitch black
and there was every chance they could not see me
and I could do nothing to get their attention.
Luckily,
the blood started to turn the water red and at that point my friends jumped in to get me to safety.
I know an accident that severe normally ends up in a fatality so I am lucky just to be
here tonight talking to you.
Physically, my recovery began well although I would never move below the neck down again
and I would never breathe on my own again, always needing this ventilator and I will
for the rest of my life.
Psychologically, the recovery process is a lot more difficult.
I had my plans for getting married and having a family and being a success in life and in
the aftermath of my accident, it felt like all the possibility of success had been taken
away from me.
I admit that I kind of gave in for a while and I let the disability win.
I spent a lot of time staying in the house, forgetting about the past and ignoring any
chance of the future.
Eventually I realised there was no point in surviving an accident like that and not taking
advantage of the fact that I was still alive.
I was only 25 when I broke my neck so there is no way I was going to call it quits and
stop being happy and stop enjoying myself at that age.
Now my life is better than I could ever imagine it to be.
As much as my attitude has a lot to do with it, the support from my friends and family
had a huge part to play as well.
I can honestly say Without exaggerating, I don't think would be alive today if it wasn't
for their support and to give you an example I want to tell you about my relationship with
one of my friends, Ross.
It was his stag weekend that I was on 11 years ago.
Since then it has not been ... it's not been an easy thing to be my friend.
It would have been understandable and it would have been easy at any point for Ross to give
up and to walk away but he never did and has supported me in every single thing ever since
then right up to tonight.
Ross is sitting over to my left hand side.
So I just want to...(Applause)
I want to take the chance and there is not a better chance than tonight to say to Ross
something that... something I should say a lot more often ...
just to remind you of...
and that's that...
I will always remember...
you actually still owe me a weekend in Spain.
(Laughter and applause)
In all seriousness, my friends and family have had a massive part to do with my recovery
and I would not be the person I am without them.
So that's enough about me, I want to talk about spinal injuries Scotland . About three
years ago I decided that I could maybe be some kind inspiration so I got in touch with
SIS.
I came across a group of people who care so much about helping others that since then
it has actually them who have inspired me.
I never realised all the hard work that goes on to get volunteers in the hospital, and
to organise outreach clinics, patient education classes, social evenings, all day activities
and running a magazine.
From the board through to the volunteers these people put in all that hard work so that nobody
with a spinal cord injury needs to feel that they are alone and that nobody with a spinal
cord injury needs to think that they need to call it quits and need to stop enjoying
life.
They do so much for so many people yet they always got this determination to do so much
more.
None of that would be possible if it was not for the fundraising and very generous sponsorship.
None of that is taken for granted and everyone at SIS appreciates the fact that it lets them
get on and continue doing what they love.
Not speaking as a volunteer, I need to offer a massive thank you on behalf of the thousands
of people like myself who have a better quality of life because the charity exists.
For the last three years I have realised that the people involved at spinal injuries Scotland,
you guys, you don't realise just how special you are.
Because you represent much more than a charity.
You represent hope.
You represent the possibility of a great future.
You represent the importance to fight and with every life you touch, you remind people
that they are not fighting alone in that you are there fighting by their side.
I said at the beginning that I was going to tell you why spinal injuries Scotland so incredible,
it is because of you guys.
That's all I want to say about the charity.
I am going to go and have a drink now and have a great night and I hope you all do too.
Thank you
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