Before all this, I had just retired. I’d spent my whole career in sales and marketing, running my own business, and I’d finished up a few days before the accident. My youngest son had just graduated too, so my wife, my son and I decided to go on holiday together in Italy to celebrate. We’d had a lovely time in Venice.
We’d picked up a hire car and were just bumbling down the motorway between Venice and Padua when, out of nowhere, a lorry came into the back of the car at very high speed. No brakes, nothing. The whole rear of the car was flattened, with me in it.
Thankfully, my wife and son escaped with very minor injuries, but I wasn’t so lucky. I lost my neck vertebrae completely – second, third and fourth vertebrae. I’ve got a titanium post now.
Technically, I’m a C4D. It’s not a complete spinal cord injury though. I still have some sensory movement in my hands and limbs, and I can move my legs a bit. Some of my friends said it was a miracle I survived at all. I was in a coma for two weeks, had some incredible surgeons in Italy, and then spent 10 months in total in hospital. Six months in a rehabilitation unit, four months in hospital.
Now I’m actually standing up and walking a little bit with a frame. I’m really quite proud of that. It’s taken a long time and a lot of brilliant physiotherapists, occupational therapists and medical staff helping me.
I discovered Horatio’s Garden about halfway through my journey. I’d come to Salisbury District Hospital and the Spinal Rehabilitation Unit, which has Horatio’s Garden just outside. What a discovery that was. Having the garden here for the last six months has been an absolute godsend for me. It’s kept my spirit and soul alive. It’s felt like getting back to nature, getting home somehow. Honestly, this garden feels like a tropical paradise.
I found it in November and, really, I haven’t left it for a day since. I feel so lucky. It’s made a real difference for me. I’ve met some of the most beautiful, delightful people who volunteer here, keeping the garden looking as it does. There’s the amazing Head Gardener, Alex.
There are regular art sessions too. I’ve been involved in nearly all of them. I’ve done everything from ceramic workshops to making nameplates for rooms at home. All the artists that come here make a real difference.
I still enjoy things I always have. Chess, good food, a glass of wine. But having a place like this while you’re rebuilding everything really does mean the world.
