12/09/2017
Three years ago today was the worst ending to a fight you could Imagine, that would be a nightmare come true for my family, friends & onlookers to witness.
The prospect & thought of losing your daddy, partner, son, brother, grandson, nephew, friend or fellow fighter ringed through so many people's mind.
While I lay comatose experiencing a profound near death experience, my chances of survival were very slim, and even if I did survive, they couldn't predict exactly how I'd be afterwards due to the acuteness of the brain bleed.
A craniotomy was performed, which involved removing a large portion of skull.
They drilled/hacked it away from my head in the hope it would release and drain away the excess pressure and blood on my brain.
It sounds so simple, but I assure you brain surgery is far from it, many things could of gone wrong, I battled away while I slept.
I have so much respect for the medical team that helped to save my life. ✊🏿
A lot of these guys do not get the respect, admiration, or support they deserve.
bigger than any celebrity in my eyes 100%👍🏿
Brain injury is no joke. A life changing and frightening life to live at times not only for the victim/survivor but for the people closest to them also.
I think how frightened and concerned I'd be if in there situation and i wouldn't want to be in that position tbh.
This day will forever be a time that brings with it reflection of the time gone by since that dreaded night and the end of my boxing career and near loss of life.
Much sadness and happiness happened in the time since and now. That's life, it still goes on, so we go on with it as best as possible.
Not the easiest thing to do though.
When you lose so much of yourself that you once took for granted, it can be very difficult to come to terms with at times, but acceptance is the key to progressing in the correct way I think.
Still have much to work on, manage better and adapt to and I'm winning. Just about 😎
Anybody that probably sees me now wouldn't even realise I'm living with a brain injury.
I look like not much as happened to me, besides looking rough on odd occasions or the large scar on my head ha.
Even though my injury was three years ago today, I still have to deal with the affects of it on a daily basis.
Me and my family have come very far, this I realise and I'm very fortunate to be able to now do more than I once did than earlier on in my recovery, so considering the severity of the initial brain injury, I'm making decent steps forwards which is very surprising and a real blessing in itself.
If you are living with brain injury or ever are touched by it in the future, Never ever give up, be proud, be real, don't be ashamed, be open, honest, make mistakes that's normal, but most importantly try to embrace the new you no matter how much of the old you you crave back.
You cannot always get what you want straight away but theirs nothing wrong with continually trying to achieve positive things.
Couldn't walk for a bit, couldn't talk for a bit, couldn't brush my own teeth for a bit, couldn't wash myself for a while, couldn't eat for myself, couldn't see properly, could not be by myself, now I can!
Not listing all the things I still need to work on, maybe next year I'll say I can do the things I now struggle to deal with today👍🏿
So many assume, so little really know, so thank you for reading.
All the best guys ✊🏿
