A man who suffered a serious spinal injury six years ago and is paralysed as a result has spoken of his experience and said he has become a “better person” as a result.
Matt Hampson, a former England U21 rugby player, was paralysed from the neck down after he took the weight of a collapsed scrum on his neck.
He appeared on BBC Breakfast this morning to talk about his ordeal in advance of the release of his new book tomorrow entitled Engage: The Fall and Rise of Matt Hampson. The title comes from the last word he heard before waking up in hospital.
Mr Hampson has a team of ten carers and breathes with the assistance of a ventilator (which he jokingly referred to as his ‘wood pigeon’ because of the sound it makes), yet spoke of how he has been able to be an inspiration to others despite the difficulty.
Paul Kimmage, who helped author the book and appeared alongside him this morning on the BBC programme, said that “What amazes me about him is his ability to bring out the best in people.
“He’s brought out the best in me as a person just from knowing him and he has this incredible ability to do that with whoever he meets.”
Mr Hampson said: “There was a time...when I said ‘Why me, why me?’ and then eventually it kind of hit me: ‘Why not me?’”
When asked what has kept him going, he cited the support he has received from people from all walks of life and reflected: “I think the least I can do is keep going for them and keep positive and keep moving forward and showing people that there is life after a spinal injury...
“I’m living proof that you can do things with your life and inspire people and help people.”
He has set up a foundation that seeks to inspire young people who have sustained serious injurious through playing sport.
He said: “That is my goal now and what I channel all my energy into.”
He also regularly coaches rugby and describes it as the “next best thing” to playing rugby.
It was during a particularly dark time that Mr Hampson said to his father that he would be a better person as a result of his struggle.
When asked whether this was indeed the case, Mr Hampson answered:
“Yes, I do believe that I’m a better person...It’s really great that you can think of others and help others and inspire other people.”
Mr Hampson’s story provides a contrast to that of Daniel James, another promising young rugby player who was paralysed after a scrum accident but who chose to take his own life at Dignitas, the Swiss assisted suicide clinic, in 2008.
Andrea Williams, CEO of Christian Concern, said:
“Matt’s story is a great example of triumph in adversity. He has come through such a serious blow to his aspirations and yet now serves as an inspiration to others.
“Matt shows that life is worth living, even with a serious disability, that much can still be achieved and that we can still be a great blessing to family, friends and society by choosing life rather than death.”
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