DISABILITY DRIVES ME TO ACHIEVE THE IMPOSSIBLE'
Sophie Morgan, 38, from London, is an award-winning author and disability advocate.
TV presenter, My mum jokes that for somebody who's paralysed, I can't sit still. And she's right. Disability has been my motivator, driving me to live life to the max and achieve things no one believed possible.
I was 18 when I had the accident that left me paralysed. I suddenly lost control of my car and crashed, breaking my back instantly. At one point I was pronounced dead.
When I awoke in intensive care, my jaw was wired, my eye had fallen out, and it wasn't until the pain subsided that I noticed a lack of sensation when the nurses washed me. Over the next three months in hospital, I underwent facial surgery and my eye was fixed, but the full extent of my spinal injury became clear. I was paralysed from the chest down and told I'd never walk again. But it wasn't the cliché everyone imagines, when a doctor breaks the news and everyone bursts into tears. For me, the awareness was gradual.
I was scared, of course, with all the fears you'd expect. Would I ever have a boyfriend? Would I be able to have fun, dance, travel? But I had nearly died, and the fears were outweighed by a sense of gratitude at simply being alive. My mum was an incredible source of strength and reassurance - she never left my side and slept holding my hand. Along with my dad, brother, friends and the amazing occupational therapists and physios who helped me, I had a network of support around me that carried me through.
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