Seeing the scans, I realised how close I’d come to dying. If my spinal cord had been severed on that mountain, I wouldn’t have made it. I’m just grateful to be alive. But recovery has been a whole different mountain to climb. That’s where Horatio’s Garden came in.
I’ve always had a ridiculous amount of energy and being outside suits me perfectly; it’s just who I am. By trade, I’m a ground worker, and I love everything about it – even the rain! There’s something about being outside all day, finishing your shift and knowing you’ve earned your pay.
Outside of work, I was the same. Always on the move – mountain biking, running, cycling down to the waterfront or heading up hills to watch the sunset. I used to just love being outside and burning off my energy.
Then my accident happened. On 12 July last year, me and three mates from work drove up to Scotland to climb Ben Nevis using the North Face route – the hard climb. The weather was unreal for Scotland, 27 degrees and bright blue skies.
We crossed a ridge with huge drops either side. I was bouncing around, filming bits, and was just loving life. The final scramble over the boulders was tough, but reaching the summit felt incredible. We sat there and just took it all in.
On the way back, we stopped at a river we’d passed on the way up. This river looked like it belonged in a film – massive boulders, waterfalls, and a deep rock pool. There was a ledge where people were diving in. I’m not really a diver, but I was buzzing from the day and thought, “why not?” I went in at a bad angle. My head snapped back, my body folded, and the pain hit me like nothing I’d ever felt. I didn’t realise I’d broken my neck – I just knew my back felt like it was on fire.
I somehow walked the mile and a half back to the van and made it through the eleven‑hour journey home the next day. When I got to Southampton and they scanned me, everything changed. Broken neck. Spinal cord compressed. They moved me to the spinal ward and the next morning, I woke up paralysed. It was the most terrifying moment of my life.
When I finally came to the spinal centre in Salisbury, the outdoors became something completely different, but just as important. The Horatio’s Garden here is a godsend. It’s such a beautiful, calming space away from the ward – a real breath of fresh air. Seeing the garden for the first time properly was amazing. I was blown away. The colours, the flowers, the greenhouse – it all just felt magical.
It doesn’t feel like a hospital when you’re down here. That’s the strange thing. You can sit in the garden and forget everything for a while. It takes your mind away from your injury, and mentally, that’s huge. Even when it’s raining, you can sit in one of the garden rooms, listen to the rain, and just relax. It gives you space to breathe, to reset. It’s more than just a garden – it’s a proper place to heal.
Without it, I honestly think it would be a completely different experience – and not in a good way. Being stuck on the ward all the time would be incredibly tough. For me, it would’ve been hell.
The garden is where I always go, especially if I’m having a bad day. I come down here, sit with a drink, maybe some cake and just take a moment. There are so many lovely people to chat to and it helps you reset before going back to the ward.
I honestly don’t know how I’d have coped without it. It’s transformed my recovery. The garden is always there for me; it’s the one place where I can truly breathe and feel free again.