On the 8th of October 2017 i was absolutely excited to start the season, our first game we had the game in the bag but just before the whistle blew one split second changed all of our lives forever.

I remember what felt like being hit by a train and i heard my back snap and i knew i was never going to play rugby again. Unaware of the dark road of recovery i was about to begin.

I ended up in John Radcliffe hospital where i underwent emergency spinal surgery as my spine was crushed damaging my spinal cord. Not only was i never to play rugby again i was never going to take a single step, never chase my children, no more treks with pete and forever depend on a wheelchair.

I remember panicking not about my injury but my children how will i support them. I was a self employed personal trainer and they relied on me! I relied on my feet to bring home the bacon. But a day after my chatastrphoic injury i was met by a man in IPF uniform and he literally made what felt like a tornado ripping through into a calm rainy day. It wasn’t only me who was contacted by the IPF. Pete received a phone call from them the very next morning and told him that they are, and always will be, there ready to help with any situation. The IPF took over my worries so i could concentrate in getting the best out of my 6month stay in hospital. 

To further my rehab i was lucky enough to go into a 3 weeks intensive rehab to really push my body to its new limits. Provide by other peoples fund raising 0 we just want to do our bit so someone else can benefit like we did by the IPF’s support.

I left the rehab feeling “I’ve got this” most importantly “we’ve got this” unfortunately i hit some hard brick walls which quickly got me down ands into a dark place. Again the IPF was there to show me I’m not alone. I went on a weekend course and met other injured players and it was just amazing. I room full of strangers quickly became a room full of new family friends - Rugby Family.

We feel we just cant put thank you into words so we have decided to take part in the Vitlity London 10k in day wheelchairs. It will be the furthest I’ve ever pushed in my wheelchair. But i know that every penny i raise will go towards the best support the next injured rugby player will receive. I have had many of my team mates since my injury - run marathons, half marathons, 100k bike rides and many more. We just really want to try and spread the awareness of how important charity is when you see on the other side how amazing they are.

The IPF haven’t just supported me physically they have provided care, compassion, emotional support, family support, medical support, home support and mental support. I am biased but this charity has the most amazing staff who treat you like one of their own.

This is going to a tough 10k for me and Pete who is also pushing with me but every push will be worth it to raise money and awareness of this amazing charity.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Lots of Love 

Dani & Pete

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