After years of problems and missing out on the 2006 Winter Olympics by the smallest margin, a routine physio session discovered an abnormal reaction in his neck. Further tests were arranged which would lead to the discovery of a spinal cord tumour which was crushing his spinal cord.
His first surgery in May 2010 involved cutting into his spinal cord, removing three vertebrae, bypassing his voicebox and rebuilding his neck with metal cages and screws. After this surgery to remove the tumour he then developed a blood clot and woke up completely paralysed. He was rushed back into hospital to undergo more life-saving surgery. During a month in hospital where he had to learning to walk again, from his bed David started his rehab using only his mind, he visualized training.
After just 5 months out of hospital he was back in a boat, rowing over 170km a week and went on to win Gold in the mixed coxed four during the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
In September David found out that the tumour was growing back for the third time. This time the Rio Olympics were in his sight and he decided to postpone any surgery to represent team GB in cycling. Sadly this was not possible. In January 2016 an MRI scan showed that there was a bleed inside the tumour and that if surgery was not carried out this time the outcome would be fatal.
Unfortunately this recent surgery has been a lot more serious. David has no left arm function and is still building up the strength to get on a bike, run and walk. Rehab is a tough 4 hours everyday at NeuroKinex and the monthly costs would blow you away! David is making amazing progress at the centre but sadly is having to fund this along with everyday living costs himself and is using his own savings to do so.
Please help us to help David fund the best possible rehab and any future treatment he may require.
You can learn more about David and his phenomenal story via Facebook/David-Andrew-Smith-Athlete and his website www.davidasmith.co.uk
THANK YOU