Monthly Archives: December 2013

Events
Been awake for 3 hours. 
Seen people ski past the window. 
Made me cry.
I so wanted this to be our family, all skiing together, 15 of us, kids to grandparents, a bit of friendly competition thrown in. 
I guess when I’ve cracked sit skiing (?) that’ll be possible. Maybe not this year though. 
It’s still great to be here, to see and hear my girls messing about and laughing. Last night during my first sit on a sofa,
Lily cuddled into me for about half an hour , her legs over mine. I couldn’t feel them, but I could see them, and feel the love flowing from her to me. 
That was just brilliant , even tho it hurt, her shoulder pressing into my painful ribs. 
The appartment booked by Alwyn and Nadia couldn’t be better   It’s ground floor and one level, and everyone else can ski right out of the patio doors onto the slopes. 
The girls are gonna have a brilliant time with their cousins. It’s the first time all the Dawkins have ever been together. 
There’s a great sense of happiness in the air. 
And it’s an awful lot better than being in hospital. 
Happy Xmas to all the wonderful staff at Stoke Mandeville , especially those on St David’s Ward. National Spinal Injuries Centre. ( NSIC ) 

Result!

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I’ve just made the brilliant discovery that I can delete ‘comments’ from my blog. 

So, as my Nan used to say ‘ if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all ‘. 
Otherwise I’ll delete it. 
Merry Xmas. 🙂

Charity.

Events

The last time I came to NY was to run the marathon. 

It was around 2002, and I’d run London 6 months earlier. 
I remember I went through halfway in 1 hour 31 minutes and was heading for a personal best, feeling really strong 
At 16 miles my right knee started to hurt, and I started to slow. The pain wore me down and I began to stop and walk for 30 seconds every half mile or so. 
I finished in 3.14, equalling my London time six months earlier, funnily enough, but in far worse shape this time, limping badly. Anyway, the pain disappeared pretty quickly, I met Dani back at the hotel ( she’d run it too ) and then we hit the bar in the W Hotel. 
It was a fun night. 
We raised quite a lot for charity too, I forget which cause, possibly Breakthrough Breast Cancer. 
Every time I took on a challenge I tried to raise something, including Headway ( brain injuries ), Alzheimer’s , various cancer charities and Shooting Stars hospice. 
I never imagined I’d be afflicted by a condition that other people would raise money for though. You don’t, do you, when you’re fit and well?
My own charity, Back on Track Trust, should be up and running before too long  , and I hope we can help men and women like me to rebuild their lives through sport/ fitness. 
If any of you want to raise money for a cause over the coming years, I’d urge you to consider spinal injuries charities, as the whole thing is very poorly funded by the state, as so few people ( relatively ) are affected. 

Thanks, Monique x

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My word- I had no ideas you’d be out and about in NYC. I thought you’d be hanging out with your brothers dealing with her lag in bed, etc. You amaze me. No wonder you’re spent. Poor man. If ur not shopping for yourself then shop for me :). Don’t stop the blog it’s the most you’ve talked in years! It’s an awesome piece of work. Tomorrow you’ll be rested and stronger. Take another breath. Don’t push too hard in all senses of the word. 

Thanks C

Events

Dawkey Dude
 
Fresh home from an Xmas lunch so u won’t get the best of me!
 

Just caught up on yr blog. You are an amazing man – honest & open. You get the absolute best out of life and always will…
 
Cheers Dude.
 
CX