HOW DID IT HAPPEN?
I have no recollection of the accident or the days following the accident. However, I have been told I was hit by a pick up truck travelling at 70mph. I have suffered a broken back, a broken leg, shattered pelvis, fractured orbital eye socket, broken teeth, deep laceration to the left leg, 26 stitches on my face and many cuts and bruises. My body is covered in scabs.
MY CURRENT SITUATION
My surgeon, Dr Kevin Riche has today explained that he had to put my pelvis back together like a jigsaw puzzle and added that I can not put any weight on the pelvis for at least 3 months otherwise it would just shatter and could cause paralysis. He also explained that he had repaired my left leg break which I cannot load bear for at least six weeks. This also means that I have to constantly lie on my back which is now becoming unbearable. Every hour seems to just drag on and take forever and there is nothing I can do, no where to go, nothing to see. Thankfully, Caroline, Summer and Tyler are here to keep me company and help pass the time.
Every movement of my body is an effort, even just to move 2 inches down the bed takes ages and every ounce of my energy.
THE FUTURE
Thursday the 22nd July a neuro surgeon will be operating on my back. I have a broken vertebrae which he will fuse with the one above and the one below together so that all three eventually become one. I will have to wear a back brace for some months afterwards to aid the healing. The rehabilitation and physiotherapy will then start which will mean it could be 2-3 months before I am walking again. I wont be fully repaired for a good 12 months. The future holds many painstaking days of recovery.
THANK YOU’s
There are so many people to say thank you to individually – the messages that I have had from England, America and around the world have been tremendous – and I am deeply grateful to everyone who has taken the time to write a message. I have been in tears for most of the day reading these. Thank you to everybody who has organised fund raising events to raise money for our cancer charities, in particular my good friend Gary Redman who will be setting off on Tuesday at 9am to cycle 700 miles from Newman’s Rugby office to Paris and back. A special thank you to Jason and Phil who are working tirelessly with people to co-ordinate other events. Jon also for taking good care of my business and finally the staff nurses have been brilliant and have done an amazing job tending to my every need.
31 Comments (Leave a Reply)
So shocked to read your blog and our hearts go out to you – its unbelieveable this has happened to you when you were trying to do so much for others! You are a good person – so angels will continue to watch over you and speed your recovery. Best wishes for continued improvements and progress love from Canada, Angie Dave Sofia & Ben (ex-franchisee)
hey sean hope u recover really quick well done 4 being so brave bit upset u cant finish ure challenge but im sure people in rugby will raise the money you guys need anyway get well soon
You are an amazing guy and you have a wonderful family – they are a credit to you
Keep up the good work in getting better and fight fight fight.
Massive hugs
L
xxx
Hi, my names hannah and im 15.. i just want to say i hope your recovery is quick and that you are able to recover fully because what you have been through is firstly horrific but what you were doing was inspiring to everyone, because you have shown that anyone is able to do something amazing to help others. I wish you all the luck and i hope you will be able to continue your journey. xxx
Sean, great to hear u are now in the land of awakeness albeit a sore one. Keep up the blogs as so many people are following your new chapter of the story. If there is anything we can help with just shout. Best wishes to u and the family. Stay strong
Been following your progress these last few weeks and especially since the accident. Be proud, Sean, you are a true hero. xx
Hi Sean, so good to see something written that has come from you! And brilliant to hear you are on the road to recovery. It was such a shock for everyone to hear what had happened, stay strong, take care, lots of love Clare and Matt White x
Amazing stuff to read. Will make a hell of a story for the grandkids!!!
My dad went through something similar on his motorbike. 3 fused vertibrae and rehab etc. Honestly considering it was a broken back you wouldnt even know now! I wish you the best recovery possible 
Sean, so good to see a blog from you. Still can’t believe what happened but enormously glad you’re alive and kicking. Your recovery will be tough but you’re an incredible man and you have all of us behind you. x
It was and is a brilliant cause, and the way you’ve both handled it and remained focussed on raising the money is truly inspirational.
Hope for the speediest of recoveries.
Sean,you are a very strong man and your character and family will help you through the healing process, like everyone i was completeley shocked by what happened, i got goose bumps reading your blog every day!if there is anything i can do to help you oryour family everyday please do not hesitate to contact me, i wish you,caroline,tyler and summer all the very best,take care, jon
Well good to see that though you body may be broken your exemplary communication skills are intact. So many people, in fact everyone I have spoken to since the accident has asked me to pass on good wishes, love and support. Our thoughts are with you.
Sean, my prayer continue to be with you. You are so strong. You will come through this tremendously difficult time beautifully, even though it may not feel like it at the time.
Mate, I know james’s dad, Phil Baragwanath saved me, it is amazing what they can do these days, our thoughts are with you, along with our love and best wishes
Great to hear your side of the nightmare..its a long road you are on now sean (like the one from la to miami!), there is a huge light at the end of it too..take each day as it comes and remember it will take a lot of patients and rest but you will get there,you have a huge amount of support from your family and friends too. Good luck for the op on Thursday and remember we are all rooting for you xx stay strong and be brave xx
Its so good to hear your words, we miss you all so much back here in Rugby and wish we could be there, so we could help you through the agony of just moving. Please take it steady with your recovery, we all know how you like to push the limits. Our bestest wishes and love to all the Newmans xx Jen & Steve xx
Sean, This message comes with love from all in GHC (Wisteria Lane)xxxx
Hi Sean, just wanted to wish you a quick recovery with not too much pain and share my mums experience with you. She is a 73 year old bike rider who unfortunately had a horrific car accident 12 months ago leaving her with a shattered pelvis, broken ribs and shattered left elbow. After lots of physio, stubborness & shear determination she is now walking and riding her bike again. Obviously she is a lot older than you but she got there, I’m not saying it was easy or pain free but these things come to test us in life & hopefully make us stronger. All the best, thinking of you & your family. Stay strong. X
Well done Sean. Glad yr blogging. Loads of peeps asking about you so please update us when you can. We’re all watching your progress. If your on facebook and your bored anytime feel free to chat when we’re online. Video updates next!
hi sean, we have up graded you from life guru, to bionic man to superman now, we love you respect you and are soooo happy your on the road to recovery,(no trucks on this one!!!!) wish we could be there with you, i know you can get sick of looking at caroliine all day (not really babe!!!!) love you loads.
kef clang.xxxxx
Hi Sean, it really is good to hear from you. I, like many I’m sure, have been waiting on Facebook’s every notification for news of your progress (and I rarely logged on before last Sunday!) so also many thanks to Caroline for keeping us all updated x Many people in town last night asked me how you were, such is the level of good feeling toward you. You’re a top bloke Sean and if it took this for more people to get to know that then well, like they say, every cloud…You have a lovely family and great friends, the future may hold many painstaking days of recovery for you but d’ya know, we’re with you every step of the way.
Hi sean. Just wanted to post a get well message. If I was to look back at the people I have met through my life with one of the most positive and ” can do attitudes” you would probably at the top of the list so I’m sure you’ll come back from this fighting. thoughts to you and your family
kev smith
Wow! I’m so happy to hear from you mate! You had me worried! You are an inspiration to me and wish I had a magic wand to get you back to the iron man status. But time heals and god willing we ll be back running or training again. Take care mate and it’s good to hear from you. Azhar
Sean,
It was pleased to get to know you and your family despite the circumstances. You do have a looong road to recovery….BUT…not as long as you have already traveled. You will get through this. You have to be strong, patient, and willing. It is hard but compliance is so important especially with the extent of the injuries. Whatever you need, be sure to ask. As you can tell, we are very hospitable in South Louisiana….we will do what we can. I will continue to checkout the website. Take care and be strong!!
Ali Richard,RN (Charge Nurse Our Lady of the Lake 6th floor)
Hi Sean after breaking my Hip in 5 places and spending 7 weeks in traction on me back in Rugby hospital – I can feel your pain dude :0( keep your chin up your soon be home and back to normal – ish lol
Sean, I am Sally Baker’s sister – and a cyclist too. Been following your journey and all the great work you have been doing. I wish you all the best with your recovery over the coming months. For sure it will be challenging, but from what Sally tells me, you are one person who will never give up. Keep your chin up and when you are in Sydney next you must knock on the door!!
hyah. Great to get your updates. most concerned about the scabs and scars on that lovely face of yours! you know that your face is your fortune so lets hope they heal. Thinking of you. love always. Caz xxx
Hi Sean,
We haven’t met as yet but I am one of the local Fundraising Managers for Macmillan Cancer Support working out of the local COventry, Warwickshire and Northants office. I’ve been working closely with James over the past year. i just wanted to say how shocked we were here when we heard what had happened to you both, how sorry we were that your beautifully planned trip aimed at raising so much money for people affected by cancer, came to such a terrible end. Thank you so much for everything you have done so far and we wish you a really speedy recovery. You are both absolute stars and we couldn’t help the people we support without people like you and James but we’re so very sorry that the event took this turn. We’ve been reading your blogs and keeping up with what has been happening. I’ve also been trying to get in touch with James, if you could ask him to give me a call at some point I’d be grateful.
All our best wishes and thoughts for a speedy recovery!
Lindsay Butler.
Hi Sean I am sitting here actually lost for words (for once) reading of your injuries and thinking how brave you are. I have never seen Paul Mckie so worried before when he first heard the news. Its good to hear from you personally on the updates. Wishing you all the best for your recovery. x
Ps I have never seen Paul Mckie so worried before when he heard the news
Hello there Sean. Fantastic to read this as you’ve posted it. Hope the operation on Thursday was successful. We’re half a minute away along Rugby Road, so let us know if we can help in any way re: house, garden, cars, anything locally (815285). Lots of love to Caroline, Tyler and Summer. We’re all thinking about you. Joe, Carolyn and Patrick.
Sean I really couldn’t believe the news of what happened. It feels like whatever I say will feel crass and inadequate…..so Ill say very little except I thank God you’re alive mate and I guess you’re going to have an amazing story to tell one day. In adversity will come opportunity but I understand it might not feel that way at times.
Thinking of you Sean and your family. Hippo Time is ok but I look forward to celebrating with you when you’re able to Sumo. Paul