Rachid Afouzar
Rachid's marathons page
Fundraising for London's Air Ambulance
Story
I intend to run three marathons and raise funds for London's air ambulance. I’ve started training and am gearing up to do the Berlin Marathon on 30 September, Marrakesh Marathon in January 2013 and 2013 London Marathon, all of which will be completed just over a year after my accident.
The helicopter medics are my angels. Words cannot say how grateful I am. When you have an injury or accident minutes can be the difference between life and death.
I discovered that the London Air Ambulance gets much of its funding from charity. Very early on in my recovery I wanted to run and raise funds for them. After what I’d been through I needed a challenge but I also wanted to raise awareness and, to be honest money, for LAA so that they can keep flying and saving peoples’ lives. If it wasn’t for their fast response and care I wouldn’t be here. So please be as generous as you can.”
Why am I doing this? Well, on 9February 2012 I was crossing the road on my way to work as a personal trainer. I saw the green man and stepped onto the road crossing the junction and within a split second I was hit by a London bus and was thrown meters along the road whilst the bus sped past my feet.
As a result I suffered many injuries including fractures to my skull, collar bone, shoulder blades and ribs as well as bruised lungs and lacerated liver. London’s Air Ambulance (LAA) was called to the scene and doctor Tom Konig, paramedic, Miguel Lops and pilot Neil Durge were at my side within minutes. They quickly dealt with my injuries, administered pain relief and re-inflated my lung, before I was taken to St Mary’s Hospital at London Paddington.
I remember starting to cross the road and then nothing until about three days later. I was in a neck brace in hospital, flat on my back and my initial thought was will I be able to walk and run again! Doctors told me had I not reached specialist medical help within minutes, I would be dead. I was told the bus was 'so badly damaged it looked like Superman had hit it’. The keys in my right pocket where the bus hit me were snapped or bent. Somehow, I don’t know how, I did not break or fracture my hip or back – unbelievable!! I still have an imprint of one of the keys on my hip.
I have made a good recovery but I know that I have a distance to go. I was told I would be permanently deaf in my left ear. I suffer from serious tinnitus and have balance problems. All of this plus some other health issues have been difficult for me. However, it hasn’t stopped me as I have always tried to have a positive mental attitude and be fit. I’m a personal trainer and I want to inspire and encourage everyone to be fit and have a healthy lifestyle. I was able to be released from hospital nine days after the accident much to the surprise of the doctors. However, for many weeks I still needed 24 hour care from my partner at home (and I’m so grateful to her) as well as daily visits from the district nurse. The doctors had said my recovery time would be between six months to a year. However, just after three months I was told I could run if I took it easy. So I went straight home, put on my trainers and started walking and running with some friends. I was able to take part in the BUPA 10K in May and also run the British 10K in July. It is now 5 months since the accident – and to me these races have got me warmed up! What can I say I am so happy to be running again. Running and fitness is my life. I can’t get back to work yet but I can run!