learning to walk without sticks
I arrived today at the OMI still on a walking sticks and mentally up to be pushed as hard as I could go. The first day I worked with Ben and Carl testing my power and balance, both of which were shocking.
I went through a full body screening, we used videos to plot where I was and so we could monitor progress. It was heart breaking seeing the videos as it showed me exactly where I was and how far I was going have to go just to be back living a normal life, not even the life of an athlete. This was going to be one very tough journey.
The plus for me was working with people I had knowing from my Bobsleigh days and trusted 100%. It was just so nice to be in a sporting environment.
I went through a full body screening, we used videos to plot where I was and so we could monitor progress. It was heart breaking seeing the videos as it showed me exactly where I was and how far I was going have to go just to be back living a normal life, not even the life of an athlete. This was going to be one very tough journey.
The plus for me was working with people I had knowing from my Bobsleigh days and trusted 100%. It was just so nice to be in a sporting environment.
No strength to even do the tests
The videos were horrific but provided lots of laughs. The weekly plan was super intense. I did four sessions a day of physio and gym work. On day two the walking sticks went, and I was on leg press doing 150kg, I surprised myself with that!
The bikes were tough and my legs hurt but with some other great athletes around also doing rehab, it made me push harder. It was all about keeping a positive mental approach and just getting on with things and not looking back.
That week in Bisham was a real kick start to getting back into training and getting back in gym made me very happy.
Lots of the exercises were to challenge my postural control and get muscles working after the damage from surgery and the drugs.
The bikes were tough and my legs hurt but with some other great athletes around also doing rehab, it made me push harder. It was all about keeping a positive mental approach and just getting on with things and not looking back.
That week in Bisham was a real kick start to getting back into training and getting back in gym made me very happy.
Lots of the exercises were to challenge my postural control and get muscles working after the damage from surgery and the drugs.
This photo here was during my upper body screening and this was all my left arm had, big improvement from hospital. My back is totally wasted away from what it once was.
I can't put into words how much of a benefit it is going to the British Olympic Medical Institute. All the staff are amazing, they really push you and keep you going. This gave me the confidence I needed to push past my minds limits knowing the support was there to pretty much pick me up when I fell over.
I can't put into words how much of a benefit it is going to the British Olympic Medical Institute. All the staff are amazing, they really push you and keep you going. This gave me the confidence I needed to push past my minds limits knowing the support was there to pretty much pick me up when I fell over.
Trying to land my CMJ jump
This photo was during my jump testing - I could just get off the floor and landing was as you can see a total disaster. The mental challenge of trying to jump was just as hard as trying to stand for the first time, of not harder. It was hard to take as I used to score very high on these tests.
I moved on so much from Ben pushing me in the gym and Julia and Carl working on specific rehab exercises.
The Psychology sessions are all part of the rehab also, as well as nutritional advice, so it really is a big support team all working to get you fit. I am now back into a routine doing a modest level of training but I can feel my body returning to normal, I know this is going to take months if not years, but I will keep pushing and never give up.
It's a slow process but I am determined to set myself small goals and focus on each day as it comes.
I would like to say a massive thank you to all the staff at the British Olympic Medical Institute.
The following photos are the EIS Olympic medical center at Bisham Abbey, click to enlarge
I moved on so much from Ben pushing me in the gym and Julia and Carl working on specific rehab exercises.
The Psychology sessions are all part of the rehab also, as well as nutritional advice, so it really is a big support team all working to get you fit. I am now back into a routine doing a modest level of training but I can feel my body returning to normal, I know this is going to take months if not years, but I will keep pushing and never give up.
It's a slow process but I am determined to set myself small goals and focus on each day as it comes.
I would like to say a massive thank you to all the staff at the British Olympic Medical Institute.
The following photos are the EIS Olympic medical center at Bisham Abbey, click to enlarge
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