My philosophy is simple – I have a ‘do or die’ attitude. I can either carry on doing everything that I do or I could give up and say life is too hard, live life in a wheelchair, in a home for disabled people. The latter won’t make me a million pounds!
People tell me I do well and have achieved a lot (which inspires me) – but there’s still so much more I want to achieve. I find setting myself small to middle-sized attainable goals helps me.
As an aside, I like going on holiday to places I haven’t been to before. I find it a real adventure! Just a couple of things I’ve done are white-water rafting in California and skiing in Aspen. At the age of ten, I jumped off a second floor hotel balcony into a swimming pool in Thailand (with my uncle and cousin). That was a bit scary but fortunately the pool had some water in it!
There is no denying the fact I have Cerebral Palsy and walk with crutches – but I do not lead a disabled person’s life. I am fully independent and have an active life. My CP has never stopped me from doing anything I’ve wanted to do. I have never thought ‘I want to do that but can’t because of my CP’. Obviously there are some things I cannot do, like playing football or radio presenting (fortunately I’ve never had the desire to do either!).
I know the things I can and can’t do – hence I’ve never paid much attention when someone has told me I can’t do something:
- When I moved back from Belgium in 1984, the senior physiotherapist who, very quickly, got me walking (as opposed to, got me walking very quickly!!) said I wouldn’t be able to walk past the age of 18 because my muscles wouldn’t be strong enough.
- I was so eager to learn to drive that I had an off-road driving lesson when I was 15. The instructor was unsure whether I would be able to drive.
- On leaving boarding school (before going onto college and uni), the headmistress’ parting gesture was “You’re not organised enough to cope with going to college”!
- Prior to 1997, some people said I would never work in radio.
In my next post I’ll blog about my lifelong passion of radio and my Saturday job.
Nice One Patrick!! Keep em coming!!!
This is really good Patrick. With your grit and determination, I bet you’ll make a million! I hope you do (then you can give some to me!) Your writings, and your life, are an inspiration Thank you.
Thank you for your kind words Patrick. When I become a millionaire I will give a portion of it to charity.
An inspiring post Patrick. You have proved a lot of people wrong – and a few of us right! Keep the faith.
Thank you Roy. You’ve been on my inspiration list for many years (and a good friend).