I No Longer Have To Listen to the Word “Can’t”!
by mikef, under Update by Mike
Following the amazing weekend last weekend with the boys doing the charity ride to help me get to Project Walk in the USA in early February, I was finally discharged from hospital on Wednesday. It was an amazing feeling to leave and head to the outside world with Moni and Ash by my side who have supported me unbelievably from the moment I landed at death’s door in hospital on the 28th of June last year. I think the most pleasing thing for me is that the word “can’t” will no longer be jammed down my throat by the wonders of the public hospital system that we have in Australia. There is a wonderful man who works at Royal Talbot who I’ve talked about before and it is Campbell. Campbell is a paraplegic and he has really helped show everybody out there that dealing with this condition is all about what you can do. It is a real shame that the system that he works in continually tells you what you can’t do. I will leave it at that, but now it really is about what can I do!
I would like to thank individually the boys who did the charity ride in my honour last weekend. Their efforts have allowed us to stay for an extra three weeks in San Diego to attend Project Walk and I do not intend to disappoint them giving the best effort that I can give to the program whilst I am there. So thank you to Peter Grant, Mark Mathews, Adam Conquest, Andrew Leyden, Kent Cuthbert, Nathan Gridley, Paul Grant, Graham Gee, and Mark Crudden in an amazing effort where they covered nearly 400 km in two days to help me out. An absolutely humbling experience. It was awesome to meet up with these guys in Port Melbourne and do the last 8 km with them. It was absolutely appropriate that it was headwind to plough into to finish and I would be lying if I didn’t say I was absolutely buggered with about 2 km to finish! The day itself was an amazing milestone for me knowing that I was checking out of hospital three days later I look forward to going for a ride of my own while guys like this go for a ride of an appropriate distance and meet them at the end of their ride a lovely cafe breakfast! Now this is living in anyone’s language!
Now for Project Walk.
With six weeks intensive physical work I am aiming to be able to use my function to transfer in and out of the wheelchair. To go from bed to chair or chair to couch or chair to car using my own function will mean a massive life change. I’m also hoping that this sort of function will be a stepping stone to greater things. My goal over the next year is to be ready to walk my daughter to school on her first day in late January 2010. I will need to cover the distance of 200m, but luckily friends of ours (Cam and Michelle) have bought a house exactly halfway between us and Elwood Primary School. It is very considerate of them as there is no doubt I will need a rest halfway! At the very least, I will need a refreshment!
Also a thankyou to Anthony for his work in organising a benefit dinner, of which you will hear more in the next couple of weeks. The dinner will be held on 28th March as a bit of a welcome home when we return from Project Walk so pop that date in your calendar and hope to see you there. Oh, and a last quick note: the wonderful cycle kit that appears in our photos is available now at Spoke(n) and both the CBD Cycles stores in the city. Thanks to the guys who run these stores for having the gear for display. Get in there and check it out. It is selling really well and I look forward to seeing more of it out on the road.
Thankyou to everyone for all your support, visits, food, good wishes, thoughts and motivation since my accident. I look forward to seeing you all when I get back. So I look forward to joining you on a ride the cafe pitstop upon my return or seeing you at the dinner to really celebrate life and what it has to offer despite the odd bumpy road.
Keep well.
January 29th, 2009 on 10:26 am
I really enjoy reading your updates, thank you for sharing your amazing journey with us mere mortals!
. What a fantastic goal to walk your daughter to school, and whilst you’re up walking may I suggest you walk into Royal Talbot and tell them “I told you so!”.
All the very best for your time at Project Walk, you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
January 29th, 2009 on 11:07 am
Bov, we all know you would’ve been disappointed with a tailwind to the finish! Kit looks great.
January 29th, 2009 on 11:26 am
Mike, whilst nothing you do surprises me, you are an incredible inspiration. With your ‘can do’ attitude you are already to others what Campbell has been to you.
I look forward to hearing about your Project Walk milestones – you’ll blow them away I’m sure!
Best wishes to you all, Natalie
January 29th, 2009 on 1:14 pm
All the best at project walk and may all your goals become a reality! Yes the cycle kit looks great, I already have one it also FEELS great! All the best for project walk. I am sure there will be many, many people thinking of you and sending you all their postive thoughts.
January 29th, 2009 on 2:07 pm
Fantastic effort Forbesy. It’s great to get the updates on your progress via email. I hope Project Walk lifts you to that next level – I’m sure you’ll be the most motivated attendee !! I better head over to see Anth and Dave at CBD to check out the jerseys quick smart … Cheers Cam
January 29th, 2009 on 2:59 pm
We were so disappointed to have missed your ride – the photo says it all! Best wishes for your time at Project Walk from us and the girls. xx
January 29th, 2009 on 6:38 pm
Mate! Awesome! I took my youngest Sophia to her first day today, its a great happy, emotional feeling. I can see you standing their smiling as she runs off to meet her classmates in 2010. You and your family and friends are inspirational. My thoughts and prayers are with you, family and friends. All the very best for Project Walk.
January 29th, 2009 on 8:59 pm
Great stuff mate, well done. Excellent to hear you’re out of hospital. I feel inspired every time I log on and read all the updates. Take care mate, Love Marshy, Em and boys.
January 31st, 2009 on 6:10 am
What a fantastic post to read. Have the best time at project walk. So happy to see you at home.Julie and the family xx
January 31st, 2009 on 11:03 pm
Congratulations on your exit Mike, and congratulations Monica and Ash and your extended team. We can feel your determination as far away as Sydney. Best wishes for San Diego (hope they know what they’re in for). Love from us all here.
February 3rd, 2009 on 10:47 am
You continue to inspire me and all those around you – thank you.
February 4th, 2009 on 10:10 am
Awesome effort. Mike, you are an inspiration. Well done also to your family and support team. Best Wishes and Love.
February 4th, 2009 on 6:47 pm
Hi Michael, I have not even met you but a friend of mine was on the charity ride and sent me the link a few weeks ago and I have been following events. I just sent him an email and he told me I should post what I wrote to him here.. so here it is -
” Michael has such a positive attitude and has set pretty impressive goals… don’t know if I could be the same in those circumstances (and I hope I never have to find out).
Very sad to hear about the negative attitude however that he experienced with the public health system .. with the exception of Campbell …shows how one person can make such a difference, and I think that Michael is going to be another “Campbell” for others”
All the best Michael, I look forward to following your achievements and those of your family
February 5th, 2009 on 3:54 pm
We all wish you well for your departure for the USA this weekend, and the new challenges you will all face, not only in getting there, but in the activities you undertake.
We will no doubt be further inspired by each of your exploits.
Stay safe.
Bon Voyage.
The Congdons
February 5th, 2009 on 8:24 pm
Happy landings and haste ye back after what we hope will be a successful time for you. Take care of yourselves. Uncle Dixon King & all his family at Wyong NSW
March 24th, 2009 on 1:11 pm
Mike,
Shocked to read today about your accident, but it is great to hear you are recovering so well and have such teriffic goals to achieve. I know from umpiring with you many years ago now in Sydney that you will achieve whatever you set out to.
I am in the middle of an around Australia bike ride at the moment, currently in Brisbane. When I get to Melbourne I hope you will join me for a ride. In the mean time I will have to get your cycling kit, it looks great. Keep that pointy chin of your up mate.
Andrew Smith