This walk at Victoria Park was to raise money for the Professional Cricketers Trust, who helped me so much to get my surgery. For most people, a 5-kilometer walk is a pleasant way to enjoy fresh air, to stretch their legs, or to move toward a fitness goal. For me, however, that 5K walk was nothing short of a personal Everest. I did it both as a huge thanks to the PCT and for my own personal rehab Taking nearly nine hours and relying on a three-wheeled walker, it tested the very core of my resilience. After my surgery, this walk was more than a physical feat; it was a journey of courage, faith, and the unwavering love of my family, especially my wife Sarah and our children, Ella, Brooke, and Drew.
The decision to undergo back surgery in the United States wasn’t made lightly. Surgery felt like my only chance for a better quality of life. Yes there were risks including total paralysis but this was worth taking. The procedure was complex, involving delicate work around my spine, and it left me with physical limitations that would challenge my daily life but a life were I didn’t see myself in a wheelchair full time was one worth while. Sarah, my wife and partner through life’s hardest moments, was my steadfast supporter. Our children, Ella, Brooke, and Drew helped in countless ways, whether by helping around the house, offering words of encouragement, or simply being there as a reminder of why I was fighting so hard to recover.
Recovery is not linear. Some days felt hopeful, while others felt discouraging, but the 5K walk became a symbol of possibility, a challenge I set for myself as both a test of my physical progress and a testament to the strength I had gained, not just physically but mentally and emotionally.
As the day of the 5K walk approached, I found myself filled with a mixture of anticipation and doubt. Could I actually do this? I wasn’t the person I had been before surgery, and my body’s limitations reminded me of that daily. But alongside the fear, there was a deep resolve. I wanted to do this walk to honour my progress and for everybody who helped me on my journey, and to show myself and my family that, even when faced with immense adversity, resilience could still carry us forward.
Sarah was my rock, and I knew this walk would be impossible without her by my side. She had been with me through every appointment, surgery, and setback. Her belief in me, her conviction that I could overcome this challenge, filled me with the courage I sometimes struggled to find within myself. Our children, too, played a crucial role. Ella and Brooke cheered me on with their infectious enthusiasm, and Drew, my steady, quiet supporter, reminded me that this journey was about more than just walking; it was about showing my family that anything is possible, no matter the obstacles.
Just under nine hours of walking, we’ll sort of, was to me a testament that things were going in the right direction.
