From wheelchair to national champion!

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The Australian XC shortcourse champs(Image credit: Evan Jeffery / evanjeffery.blogspot.com)

February 16, 2007

Since I had my bingle, bike vs. car accident, in March 2005, I have worked so hard to return to a competitive level in cycling. It's been a daunting process, and I'm lucky to have had so much support along the way. In addition to my family, friends, surgeon and physios, I'm super lucky to have two awesome pillars of support - my partner Tim, and my coach Garron. These guys are amazing, I wouldn't be an Australian MTB champion without them. It seems a little comical now, in hindsight, that Tim and I had the audacity to ask Garron to coach me when I was still in hospital and unable to walk! (And it seems even sillier that he agreed!)

Since my accident, Garron and I have set goals that we've worked hard to achieve. In the beginning it was task enough to try and walk. I managed to damage my pelvis, left hip and back to the extent that walking was really difficult. But I graduated from the wheel chair and crutches to the stationary bike, and a few months later I was back riding, feeling slightly out of place arriving onboard my mountain bike to the Epworth Rehabilitation hospital for hyrdrotherapy and physiotherapy.

Walking is still difficult and I still limp. In fact, most things are difficult. Simple things like sitting at a desk or in an aeroplane chair can cause immense pain. And I can't run or play soccer with Ruby (my dog) without ending up sore and limping. Also, my hip flexor doesn't work, my pelvis is crooked and my muscles are still too weak - but for some reason I can ride, and for that I am grateful! For some reason, against the odds, and despite the plate and screws sitting around my hip, I can train, I can race and I can be Australian XC Champion!