You may have a great career, be in a loving relationship, partaking in activities you are passionate about, in essence, life is progressing well for you. Then in a split second, it is all turned upside down! 

In 2006 I became a paraplegic after breaking my back in a cycling accident and then in 2019 I became a quadriplegic when run over by a 4WD while out handcycling. How did I manage to not only face but also come through these adversities? 

First up is acceptance. Tragically, accidents happen, SCIs happen, you cannot change this, you have a spinal cord injury, but you can, to a degree, control the outcome. There is no point looking back at what has happened, it is time to accept the now and focus positively on the future. This does not mean giving up hope. Having to use a wheelchair, should not stop you from trying to improve on your prognosis.  Never, never, ever give up on hope. 

In wanting to improve you have to plan what you want to do and how you want to do it. This means setting a long-term goal – e.g. gaining the use of your legs. To work toward this, you have to set short-term goals – e.g. direct lift transfers, dressing yourself, using a standing frame, along with medium-term goals  - e.g. being as independent as you can be to work towards your long-term goal. These goals require frequent re-evaluation as you and your support crew work through the rehabilitation programme and gauge the progress achieved.

Each time you try something, always reward the try, mentally give yourself a tick whether you achieve a positive outcome or not. You must try, you have to believe, you must constantly push yourself to achieve whatever results you are able to achieve. 

Whatever improvement you are able to achieve will be through a fair amount of good fortune, but mainly through a huge amount of effort, belief, and perseverance.

‘Never let what you cannot do stop you from doing what you can.’

About the writer

Ian Walker is a 57-year-old C6 Quadriplegic Incomplete. Ian lives in Christchurch, New Zealand and has survived 2 separate spinal cord injury-related accidents over the past 14 years. He is a Motivational Speaker who talks about - how to face adversity, cycle road safety, living with a disability, being a 1 percenter . . .

Ian also enjoys life coaching which he utilises through his business BMotiv8d, to assist those with a disability, (or without), who lack motivation, direction and/or confidence, those who feel disorganised or unfulfilled, and/or those who need encouragement or need to set priorities, on how to realise their true potential.