Homepage/SCI Community/My Story
Emma Willson
June 3rd 2002 I was riding my friends horse that I had ridden regularly for years, I was an experienced rider having been involved with horses for about 20 years.
The ground was hard and whilst trotting round the field the horse stumbled, I rolled over her head and landed on my bum and falling backwards. I had fallen many times before as its part of riding but this fall was totally unprepared for.
I managed to get to my hands and knees but new something wasn't right because of the pain. Luckily my friend was there so she called an ambulance as I laid in the field.
I was taken to hospital where a scan showed a double fracture to my L2, luckily it hadn't splintered into my spinal cord.
I spent 6 weeks flat on back in hospital, 4 weeks in a back brace then 4 months of intense physio and pool work. With my Mum looking after me in and out of hospital.
I was very lucky, I walked out of hospital.
February 2003 I took up running as a substitute for riding, I felt that as I had been lucky enough to walk again I had to do something positive. I joined a local running club and was so pleased to manage my first 2 mile run with out stopping and it went on from there. I entered the Race for Life as my first competition and thought Id never make it, but I kept going. I entered lots more races after that gradually getting a little faster each time. I met my partner at the club who is also a runner and supports me in everything I do.
The following year I ran the London Marathon, less than 2 years after my accident. It was tough and hard work but not as hard as it would have been of I hadn't been so lucky to walk.
I still run and still race, I will never be very fast but I do it.
I left my office job, retrained in sports therapy and now work as a physio assistant and massage therapist.
I'm also training in athletics coaching and cycle nearly every day. I'm fitter now than I ever was. My story isn't as remarkable as some of these but I hope that others will be encouraged that if you believe and want to have a go at something don't let anything stop you.
May 2003 I never thought I would run 3 miles April 2004 I ran 26.2.
Good luck and best wishes to every one
Emma