I’m a marine engineer, while working out in the caribbean in 2006 during some leisure time i went swimming and my whole life changed in an instant.. i hit my head on a sand bank and broke my neck. The vertebrae at c5 fractured and c6 broke into three parts one of which damaged my spinal cord, leaving me parylsed from the nipples down.

I had my accident on the island of St Maartin, i was flown to the Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, along with a broken neck i had salt water in my lungs, this led to secondary drowning. Shortly after arriving in Miami i was medically induced into a coma, where i stayed for 6 weeks during this time i flat lined 6 times. As part of the surgery the temperature of my spine was reduced right down to prevent swelling and further paralysis, this in turn led to hyperthermia. Once out of my coma i was shortly moved to re-hab. In total i spent 3 1/2 months in Miami.

“In my leisure time from the cruise ship, myself and some friends went ashore. While one of us was getting the sunbeds, i decided to go swimming. I jumped into the sea (Baywatch Style), as I went through the water my head then hit a sandbank the weight of my body broke my neck. I knew then that something was seriously wrong as I tried to swim to the surface. I felt as if I was swimming but my arms were just floating beside me.

I could feel the heat of the sun on my back, so I knew I was on the surface but all I could do was shake my head! This drew the attention to my friends that I was in danger. (This all happened in about 30 secs).

I was brought ashore and an ambulance was called. I was taken to the closest hospital on St Maartins where a doctor from the Westerdam was sent to join me. Due to the severity of my injuries I was flown to Miami, I was then medically induced into a Coma.”

I was flown back to the U.K in March 2007, to the Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital in Aylesbury for a further 3 1/2 months, i was lucky enough to get 5 hours physio a day along with hydrotherapy 2 – 3 times a week – but like every thing, it costs money… so once i was medically fit i moved home on the 20th of june 2007. I came home with an RTI 300 FES bike, this bike warm’s my muscles up for half an hour then the electricity kicks in and fires pulses into my legs working them for me. This has helped maintain the muscle mass within my legs, i have also got the upper torso part that works the biceps triceps and shoulder muscles. Where the lower part works on the “non-moving parts” the upper part will make me stronger and more independent. I also own a standing chair, this allows me to work on blood pressure problems and balance, it also helps re-activate dormant muscles.

Twice a week i have physio at my home. unfortunately this is why i’ve created this web site.. recovery stops when the money does..  physio.. but unlike buying a piece of equipment it’s ongoing expense of which i need all the help i can with, in the hope of walking again.