Over the last year my Aikido has not only started to improve but the possibilities in the chair are endless.
In the early part of 1992 I was a healthy young sixteen year old, looking forward to a life as a stuntman. In order to obtain an Equity card I was training in various different physical activities such as swimming, diving, horse riding and my main interest, martial arts.
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In the same year I was doing my usual jaunt on my motorbike in my local woods and was unlucky enough to crash my bike into a tree - it was one stunt too many, I suppose. The accident left me paralysed from the chest down. The initial shock changed my life forever - that's what I thought. I had been a very sporty person enjoying many physical activities like football, swimming, rugby and first and foremost martial arts. I was under the illusion that my life had made a turn for the worse. Not being able to move my legs was a massive shock.
The initial five or six years were spent just adjusting to my condition
and trying to find something that would make me tick again. Being a
healthy, fit and active type of person I needed something that would
motivate me to find a sport that I could enjoy from my chair. I hoped,
there must be some sort of physical sports or exercise therapy-type centre
out there. I was ready to start my life again, to find that thing that
makes you tick, and for me that's martial arts. Looking close to home I
was disappointed. I was surprised to find there were not many
opportunities for disabled people looking for some rehabilitation and
support. Looking further a field, I was lucky enough to find a centre that
was able to assist me with my physical problems like stretching and
walking. The walking was a major surprise, not in the literal sense of
walking but with the assistance of a very competent Exercise Therapist and
the use of supports (parallel bars & customised ankle orthoses).
(Gait)
The most significant step forward for me within the last year has been
the support and help from my Exercise Therapist encouraging me to start my
Martial Arts again. I was under the impression that due to the restraints
of the wheelchair I would no longer be able to practice the art again.
What a fool I was, thinking like an able body person might, that I was
restricted because of the chair. This is not the case. The chair can be
used as a very effective weapon and all the skills and techniques are
still possible. With the help of the Exercise Therapists at Physability
over the last year my Aikido has not only started to improve but the
possibilities in the chair are endless.