Playing to the end of the game Jack left the field without pain and continued his day as normal. It wasn’t until 2 hours later that he headed for hospital, still unaware of the full extent of his injury.
His injury would affect his body from the neck down and life as he knew it would not be the same. After months of intensive rehabilitation at the London Spinal Cord Injury Centre in Stanmore, Jack was determined to leave hospital fit and healthy and ready to continue his active and competitive lifestyle. Formerly a drummer, a police cadet, and a black belt in martial arts, the injury that affects both his upper and lower body meant Jack became aware that his interests were likely to quickly change. He turned his attention to the accessible activities that were available to him at the spinal injury centre.
The martial art of Kung Fu which Jack cruised to his black belt status in at age 13 typically requires coordination, determination and discipline. It seems that from the earliest possible stage Jack was resolute on participating in physical activity and using these skills that had previously brought him success to progress though his rehabilitation at maximum pace.
Jack’s positivity was one of the most remarkable features of his time in hospital. His father Gary testifies that after spending three months in recovery unable to move and barely able to talk, at no point did Jack ever change from the happy and optimistic character that he had always been known for. Gary remembers that he was determined to show his family, the doctors and his friends that “I will not be beaten.”
After all his time spent immobile in the hospital bed Jack’s reaction to impressively managing to walk 10 steps at his first attempt was simply “I know I could have done better than that.”
Jack would mainly use a wheelchair during this stage, and still does day in day out for a lot of tasks or outings. He has been known to play football as goalkeeper using his wheelchair, anything to have fun with his friends. In a major coincidence at the Stanmore ward caring for only 30 patients, Jack met 15 year old Santiago, a former Brentford academy footballer with the same sporting interests and a spinal injury at the same level as his own.
The benefit of having someone going through the same situation to have a laugh with and mess about as you would expect teenagers to was invaluable after the injury. It was at this point onwards the competitions and friendly rivalry between Jack and Santiago started. From outdoing each other in the gym to wheelchair slalom races around the ward Jack and Santiago were using sport and physical activity to aid their rehabilitation and this was heavily encouraged by the staff.
Mark O’Neil, an advisor at the Stanmore began working with Jack throughout his time at the spinal injury centre. In Mark’s role as Physical for Activity Advisor for WheelPower (the national charity for wheelchair sport) he organised and introduced to Jack the wide range of sports and inclusive activities including archery, slalom and kurling.
In September 2015 Jack and Santiago travelled together to the birthplace of the Paralympic movement at Stoke Mandeville Stadium to take part in one of the most prestigious events in the calendar for disability sport, the National Junior Games. Organised by WheelPower, the pair tried a range of wheelchair sports and accessible activities together with over 100 other disabled young people aged 11 to 18.
Jack said “At Stoke Mandeville it was really fun to try out activities that I didn't even know that I would be able to do. Also it was really good to be competing against people with spinal injuries who haven't let their injuries affect their lives. It was a challenge between me and Santi to see who would do the best where it was very even.”
“A big thanks to Mark from WheelPower for telling us about it as I really enjoyed myself and will no doubt return this year if it is going to take place.”
After all Jack’s progression, he hopes to continue his involvement in sport and is now regularly found at his local gym, swimming pool, or training with the physio.
On returning to school part way through year 11, Jack has worked hard to catch up on his studies and has promising predicted grades for his GCSE’s. An initial ambition to become an electrician was dampened by his hand function and mobility, but after a promising interview he is encouraged to begin at management level and hopes to start college next year.
Jack would like to thank all the staff involved at the London Spinal Cord Injury Centre in Stanmore that have helped him on his rehabilitation journey.
“I just want to say thanks to the physio's, Occupational Therapists, Nurses and everyone else for helping me to get to where I am now as if it wasn't for them and my family I doubt I would be as capable to do things as I am today.”