I’ve always loved rugby and have been fortunate to play for my local club, Winchester, for many years. Devastatingly, it was during a rugby match that my injury happened. It was the end of February and there was a party planned for later that day, so my family and close friends had all come to watch. During a scrum, I broke my neck, and my life changed course in an instant.
Lying on my back, I was completely conscious and immediately knew what had happened. My teammates were amazing and kept me calm until the paramedics arrived. I was taken by helicopter to London, where I had an operation that night. I woke up the following day in ICU, with my family around me, and began to comprehend what the future looked like.
Initially, I couldn’t move any of my limbs, but over ten days in ICU, I regained the use of my arms. Thanks to the constant flow of support from my family and friends who visited every single day, I felt on a steady upward trajectory. Quicker than expected, a place came up at the rehabilitation centre in Stanmore, and I was delighted that my recovery journey could continue so fast.
It was only when I was transferred from the ambulance to the ward and I saw my wheelchair for the first time that the reality truly hit. I realised how hard the coming months would be, and I went from feeling over the moon to really quite upset and anxious. For the next few days, I didn’t feel like talking to anybody, and I found myself wheeling away from anyone else I saw.
Then I discovered Horatio’s Garden and it became my refuge. I’d spend most days in the garden room, chatting away, drinking coffee and laughing with other patients. Deliberately or not, the garden team helped me out of my shell and I began to try new activities. My favourite was flower arranging with Tracey. She gave me total choice over what to do, and once I’d got over awkwardly staring at all the flowers and vases, I found joy in creating floral displays for each of the pods.
I’ve spent a lot of time in the garden room. One day, my rugby team paid me a surprise visit, and the space meant that twenty of us could spend the day together. It’s a place where you can really get to know people, and I’ve formed a community with everyone I’ve met. The garden encourages you to open up about things you might not mention with even your closest friends, and for a moment, forget that you’re in hospital.
The pods have allowed my wife to visit for the whole day too as she can work while I have therapy sessions, and we can still enjoy coffee breaks and lunchtimes together. I even celebrated my birthday here too with a party for my friends and family. One of my friends owns a record shop, and he kindly donated a record player and a lot of LPs that the staff now play during physiotherapy sessions – everyone absolutely loves it. All these lovely moments have helped make this tough journey feel much more possible.
I’m incredibly close to my parents, and being able to use the garden as our own has been a lifesaver. My mum’s got dementia, but in the garden, she’ll walk around, talk about the plants, notice the birdsong, and it’s almost like her illness disappears. My dad, who’s her main carer, has just been diagnosed with dementia himself, and the garden allows him to relax, knowing that my mum is safe. Visiting a hospital ward can be really stressful for older people, but the garden has made it possible for them to see me, and for us all to enjoy pizza or a cup of tea together as a family.
I’d never normally talk about it, but the garden has been intrinsic to my mental health, and I don’t believe I’d heal without it. Being able to take myself away from the ward and sit by one of the water features, just taking it all in, has helped me figure out how to get on with life. My memories of being at Stanmore will be of the outstanding care, and of Horatio’s Garden. It’s been a space to listen to the birds, or listen to my thoughts, and know that I’m going to be alright in the end.