Five weeks ago I had a cycling accident. I was out for my usual morning road ride before work and the next thing I knew I was on the side of the road surrounded by paramedics.
It turns out I wasn’t even hit by a car, somehow my tyre caught in a groove between the lanes. The bike stopped and I kept going, landing hard and fast enough to break my scapula, the hardest bone in the body to break. Along with a collapsed lung and lots of muscle and ligament damage.
The damage will repair in time with rest and rehab and I know I’m lucky to be alive.
The thing that I’m finding hardest to deal with is not being able to exercise. You don’t realise how vital physical activity is for your physical, and more importantly mental health, until you can’t do it. Daily exercise – cycling, going to the gym – has always been what’s kept me focused, positive and grounded. So being unable to do anything active is a real personal challenge and one that I am going to have to find strategies to deal with. I guess this is a situation that many sports people face during their careers and it has shown me that it’s important to have different outlets for wellbeing.
Like walks on the beach with my wife (lol) .
Sheridan (& Kaden) Old says
Damian, we are very pleased that you have lived to tell the story. It must have been a very scary time for you and all your family. I know the kids missed you when you were away! We wish you all the best as you continue your recovery and yes, walks on the beach with your wife is much safer for you – that way she can keep an eye on you! Take care and go gently on yourself. You are a fighter and will be back excercising (perhaps not bike riding) before you know it! Love The Old Family xxx