Yes I'm turning 40!

Looking back so far I have to admit I will not change a single path or decision made. I have ended up with a loving wife, daughter and son. An amazing family and some awesome friends. I have a good job and a decent house and have experienced many good things. I have also had some down times, seeing people go through some life changing situations and have lost close friends.

So for the last few weeks people have asked what I would like for my birthday or what are you doing for your 40th making it seem like a huge thing. Not being very materialistic and being thankful for my health I would like to introduce you to Rachel Harry. For my birthday if anyone would like to donate to her fund please feel free to check out my crowdfunding page. My 40's will be my give back years and, throughout the next 10 years I will start to look at being more healthy and use make more time for fundraising. helping people who need a little help along our journey called LIFE...

Donations will continue her much needed support and rigorous physio. Rachel Harry is the definition of determination. Her progress against all odds shows everyone how the body can overcome anything that is thrown at it.

On the 23rd of July 2012 should have been a happy celebration to welcome the newest addition to our family, not the worst nightmare any family should have to experience. As Rachel gave birth to her beautiful daughter, an undetected blood clot caused a massive heart attack and we suddenly lost our gorgeous girl.

For 20 minutes the crash team fought hard to bring her back and thankfully they won the battle, Rachel's heart was restarted and again back with us. However, being without oxygen and blood (the team juggled breaking up the clot with stemming the blood flow from the cesarean cut) Rachel suffered a hypoxic brain injury and was given just 2 hours to live.

Specialists explained that no-one had survived such a massive trauma - massive blood clot, fatal heart attack, hypoxic brain injury in addition to major surgery.

Well, Rachel stayed with us past the 2 hour deadline, past the critical 24 hour period and throughout the emergency surgery to rectify the complications of Cesarean operation.

Rachel remained in a medically induced coma for 10 days, her future uncertain - we were told that even if she did ‘wake-up’ she would be left with a serious brain injury and would need 24/7 care. Rachel amazingly kept going and moved into the wakeful stage, no machines and needing less monitoring. Rachel had her beautiful baby girl, Freya, with her every day for as long as the medics would allow and she continued to defy each updated prognosis.

Placed on a general medical ward for 3 months, unable to move, eat, drink or function her family and friends maintained a constant flow of encouragement and support. Rachel then spent 8 months at Clatterbridge Brain Injury Rehabilitation unit in Liverpool and made slow but positive progress towards coming home to be with her baby girl, family and special friends.

Against all odds and in time for Freya's 1st Birthday, Rachel came home on the 8th June 2013. She was unable to sit up, stand, walk or communicate, but she was at home with Freya and everyone who loved her, and her willpower to be a mum remains relentless.