Morning Russ I just wanted you to know that every morning as I’m sure like most of the world that is addicted to their iPhone … The first thing I do is lie in bed fiddling with my phone ( yes my phone !! ) Anyway your blog is the first thing that gets my attention and not a day goes by where I either shed a tear or laugh out loud . Keep up the good work you are truly Inspirational …… Thinking of you Nicola k Xxx Ps Tele is on the war path regarding the thousands that have now seen the very non sexy pant picture that was posted …that made my day :-))
Yearly Archives: 2013
If the link doesn’t work search for ‘Afan comedy cycling in Wales’ Russ 🙂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGBu1xT0p9c&feature=youtube_gdata – Video Tube for YouTube – iPhone/iPad Sent from my iPhone 7 prototype. I filmed this last year. My buddy, Chaffey. Hit the link or copy and paste it into google So funny.
What a difference a few days make.
All my visitors are telling me I actually look like me again.
Some saw me last when my death was the most likely outcome.
I’m happy to say now that that eventuality is behind me and I’m being reintroduced to society.
In the picture I’m sitting on the pavement at a Starbucks in St Johns Wood. It’s the first time for 3 months that I’ve felt the sun on my skin properly, and been sat comfortably in a wheelchair . Believe me, that feels like an amazing double to me.
I enjoyed the taste of coffee for the first
time since the crash too.
My awesome buddy,Dan White and my gorgeous wife shared the experience with me. I couldn’t have wanted for 2 better people to accompany me on this breakthrough moment.
My physios are telling me that I’m doing things in ten minutes that people often can’t do in 4 months. I’m not sure whether that’s a reflection on the other patients or me!
Either way, the mastery of mobility, balance and coordination continues.
Pain control is getting there too, with constant tweaking by the doctors. Apparently full control can take years… Lets hope not in my case. Pain greatly detracts from the pace of progress, trust me.
I continue in my efforts to rebuild my upper body, trying to be inventive with the hoist above my head as a pull up bar… The physios and I have different opinions of the merits of that particular exercise…
The reality is that I am right 😉
I am still taken aback daily by the emails I get from people that I allegedly inspired in my past life. Believe me, I must have done it by accident, as I’ve never set out to do so!
My specialist told me today that it’s pretty unlikely that I’ll regain much below the waist. That’s not great to hear. He said tho that nothing is certain. Personally, I am prepared for the worst, but as I can definitely induce some leg twitching I think it’s far from certain that
I’m totally written off.
The staff and physio team here are really great and I’m making big strides. One of tomorrow’s objectives is to learn how to put my own pants on, def a handy skill going forward…..
Bowel and bladder control are another hurdle. Self catheterisation pictures WON’T be appearing on the blog.
Drank both white wine and ( from my buddy Frank Casali) a great red tonight, and I think my palate is showing signs of recovery! Small steps ….. Tequila may be years away..
Great to see Toby, Andrew and Lisa today, Emily, emma and Jack yesterday too. I’ve probably omitted people and sorry if I have. I’ve always had a rubbish memory!
This morning I was awoken by the nurse turning on all 8 of the lights in the room, followed by the insertion of 2 large suppositories.
I’ve suggested that tonight’s nursing team try a gentle kiss and a whispered sweet nothing instead.
I m not betting on it actually happening, and praying that its not one of the male nurse team that thinks his luck’s in.
X
What feels like my first taste of ‘normality’
My other daughter, Lily, doing something I could never do.,
The flight to Toulon whilst I was still fighting for life itself. Saskia (middle) in charge(!) of her lil babe and my daughter, Amber ( left ). Cosy or what?
This is a message from my childhood buddy, Rob. He and I used to regularly cycle the 20 odd miles to Monmouth as 15 yr olds and pitch a tent. It was my first taste of biking really, and a really good laugh.
Hi Russ, I am obviously one of the many that are in awe of your progress, am an avid follower of your blog and must admit that your inner strength to overcome your accident is no surprise to me, or anyone else that I’m feeding updates to. My parents (Clar & Col), my brother and Tracey are using a phrase that is common place amongst all of your blog followers……….”if anyone was going to beat this, it’s Russell Dawkins”. However, I have have some grit in my eye moments with your humility and honesty about your situation and it is inspiring to hear the amount of support, love and care you receive and how much this means to you. Last week was the Monmouth show and I often recall the times when we would cycle from home to Monmouth through the lanes and camp out before getting up at the crack of dawn to sneak in before we had to pay, maybe this was part of what kicked off your interest in long distance cycling, especially the extreme rush of conquering Gwhelog Hill while I was pushing my bike on foot, never mind the hours we spent under water at Sub Aqua club or me having my arse whipped trying to play tennis, or indeed losing to you (again) at school sports, …………happy days mate, very happy days with a guy I have always been proud to say was one of my best friends. I obviously have no words of wisdom but I hope you keep those dark shadows in a dark shadow cupboard with a bloody big bolt on the door, you are alive mate, you have a wonderful wife, 2 absolutely stunning daughters and a family and friend group that love you dearly. Whatever the outcome of your injuries you will have a life to share with them and they will cherish every moment they continue to share with you as I am sure there would have been times when they thought that they had lost you. Yes life will be different and bring new challenges for you all, but you will be there with them and that is all that will matter. I am friendly with a guy who had an accident, is now in a wheelchair and found enjoyment in wheelchair rugby, he subsequently represented Team GB at the Beijing Paralympics. I know he reflects on his situation and concedes that his participation in the Paralympics, and representing his country is something that wouldn’t have happened if he was able bodied………….do you know what I mean? I suppose what I am trying to say is that I fully expect to hear that Russell Dawkins is the world’s best at whatever you decide to do and may now have the chance to inspire a broader audience with your achievements. Anyway, enough of my babble, I continue to follow your blog and regret the fact that we haven’t seen each other for so long, we have almost 30 years worth of alcohol abuse to catch up on so the sooner we start, the sooner we will have caught up!! Keep going mate and please be inspired by the inspiration you are providing to others you awesome ugly bastard. Cheers Rob
See what I mean…..
My brilliant and thoughtful staff at work got me a rugby jersey signed by the victorious welsh squad , 6 nations winners of 2012.
Special thanks to Emma, who was the most instrumental in getting it.
I’m really chuffed!
Thanks SO MUCH!!
Russ