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Hi my name is Harrison Martin I am 13 years old, and love swimming for my local swim club in Gravesend “GNSC”

On the 9th March 2019 at 15:10, I had a terrible accident at a trampoline park. Within 10 minutes of being there I landed awkwardly on my left arm, I knew straight away that my arm was broke, however I didn’t know how serious it was at the time.

My parents took me to Darent Valley Hospital, it was then that the doctors told my Mum & Dad just how bad my accident actually was. It was explained that I had no pulse in my left arm, this was due to my Humerus bone in my upper arm completely snapped and also crushed my arteries which resulted in no blood flow. 

I was taken down to surgery immediately, three hours later the surgeon’s spoke to my Dad & Mum to say that they had done everything possible, BUT was unsuccessful and they were told that time was of the essence as I only had 6/7 hrs to save my arm from the time the artery was crushed. 

I was Bluelighted to Kings College Hospital where I was put under the care of two of the most amazing specialists (Orthopaedic & Vascular Surgeon’s) while one was working on my arteries the other was fixing my bone. 

My parents were told that there was a very high chance that I could lose my arm due to the time taken before my second surgery. At 04:00 on the 10th March my parents were told that the operations were successful. 

I spent another 4 days in the children’s ward where they looked after me (I even had to to school work, 😂)

The doctor’s told me that I would not be able to swim competitively for at least 12 to 18 months. Well I proved everyone wrong and swam my first race after 4 months and swam a personal best time in Breaststroke, whoop whoop.

My club coaches at GNSC, we’re brilliant with me, and in their own time helped me get back into the water.

I am happy to say that my Orthopaedic surgeon was amazed at how quickly I got back to swimming, and on the 10th Jan 2020 I was signed off. I still have extensive nerve damage to my left hand and unfortunately this will most definitely take up to 2 years before my nerves fully repair.

I decided I wanted to give back something to Kings College Hospital, so I wanted to do something that is totally new and different and swim in my first open water event at Hever Castle. 

Please, please donate as must as is possible, as you never really know how good our NHS is without being in that situation.

Thanks

Harrison