The Journey...in the past

In 1980

• I was lucky to survive a rare ‘wildfire' osteogenic bone cancer, where I ended up having a hip disarticulation amputation and endured almost a year of chemotherapy
• For me at 16, losing most of my hair and weighing less than 30kg with only the slimmest chances of survival was hard to take in, so I used humour to cope (I remember in the hospital at the time saying "Dad will be pleased as I only have one leg to shave in the shower and I'll be quicker"!

It devastated my family and friends and some didn't cope – I had to start a new way of life

• Only having one leg, life didn't stop. My life changed but it fuelled the flames inside me to do better and make each day count, so I've taken on goals/challenges ever since  
• I don't do this to prove anything to anybody but it’s my way of dealing with the trauma, emotions, physical pain and body image barriers I deal with every day of my life.

Skipped through my teens and became an adult overnight

• Although I had dated, got drunk a few times like most teenagers, I never got into the party drug scene and after chemotherapy, I just focussed on my Recovery, Rehabilitation & Renewal of life where sport became my focus
• I was married for almost 30 yrs to my childhood sweetheart before he decided on another path without me, but we've both moved on, still friends and the timing meant I was able to become a full time carer to my elderly mother and stepfather. They are still very much part of my everyday life.