I had plans tonight… work to do, jobs and people to catch up with… then the phone rang and I have done little since… my son had a lot to say.
Nick made the news section of the website UKABIF, the brain injury charity for which he is raising funds by riding in the Para-Tri triathlon.
I wouldn’t have known, but I wanted to share a link to their website as they had a documentary embedded there, ‘Me and my new brain’, from the BBC. It is available for another two weeks on BBC iPlayer, by clicking the highlighted link.
Nick had watched it and it had moved him deeply as he recognised so much of the young woman’s journey. In particular, he told me of a moment when she had been asked what, after brain injury, she finds awkward. “Everything,” she had said… and listening to Nick talk, I, who probably know more of his day to day challenges than anyone other than Nick himself, finally got a glimpse of just how vast ‘everything’ can be.
The programme opened doors for him, allowing him to examine some of the hidden injuries, the invisible damage caused by brain injury… things he had hitherto prefered not to look at too closely. I won’t go into detail… I’ll leave that to Nick who is putting some of his thoughts on paper. I, after all, can only write of what I myself see and feel. I cannot write what is in my son’s head and heart.
Much I could write… we talk a lot, spending hours on the phone, as well as what is shared every day in person. The past few days, however, have been punctuated by exclamations of ‘amazing!’ and ‘awesome’ as he has watched, read and been deeply moved by the phenomenal support of the blogging community. The ‘WordPress Family’ really has lived up to that name this week and the effect on my son has been amazing to see.
Nick has always said that if he could help just one person, it would all be worthwhile. I know that his story, thanks to you, has touched many lives.
As I write, over £1200 has been raised to support Nick’s chosen charity and his main aim, to raise awareness of the effects of brain injury, has exceeded his wildest expectations. Nick says, “I am simply lost for words, I am so touched that everybody cares so much. It really does mean the world to me. Thank you.”
I have run out of words to say, ‘thank you’…. so I’ll keep it simple.
Thank you… for every pound, every dollar, every tweet, reblog and share. I cannot tell you how much difference you have made to my son as we approach the triathlon on Sunday!
Click here to visit Nick’s Campaign… and please support him by sharing or donating if you can. Thank you!
Sue Vincent's Daily Echo 
Very Cool, Sue. So exciting for Nick (and all of us) to see things changing in great ways for him. I’ll be there virtually cheering him on in the race!
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I wish a whole crowd could be there in person for him 🙂
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you must be so very proud –
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Always 🙂
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Reblogged this on Anita & Jaye Dawes.
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I’m sure there will be a crowd Sue, and they will be cheering him on. I’m also very glad he’s starting to write his own story. You have done a marvelous job so far, and will continue to do so, but I feel this is an important step for Nick, and no one can tell a story half so well as its hero.
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There will be a huge party…it is a big event… just not many who know Nick.
I have been encouraging Nick to write for a long time, but it is incredibly difficult for him to do so with his vision as it is… He’ll get there. 🙂
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When he’s ready and able, Sue. He’ll have a ready made audience, too, thanks to you. Xxx
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There are things going on behind the scenes at present that might just encourage him a bit 😉 xxxx
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That’s great! Hope it does…
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I think it might 🙂
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This morning Bianca Jagger retweeted my tweet ‘When a smile breaks your heart’ from yesterday. The word is spreading – does she follow you Sue?
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That’s fabulous, Mary! Thank you for Tweeting 🙂 No, she doesn’t follow me… but if she follows you, that’ll do nicely, thank you 🙂
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No, she doesn’t follow me either. Must have just been something she noticed. Hope she followed the link!
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Still nice that she shared it 🙂
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Nick is an inspiration to us all and is proof that anything is possible if you are determined enough and never give up hope!
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Thanks, Darren… anythng is pssible, that’s a phrase that , means a great deal to him 🙂
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Reblogged this on oshriradhekrishnabole.
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Reblogged this on Stuart France and commented:
Tee minus Three days and counting…
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Woof, Sue (and Nick), this is one heck of a place to be just now; it must feel great to feel exhilaration and excitement rather than apprehension and anxiety. I think, at least for me, I really appreciate how you both address the many issues that have surrounded you over these last few yeas and, buffeted and battered though you both may be, you keep on truckin’. Well done both.
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Thanks, Geoff, it does make rather a nice change, I have to admit 🙂 And apparently, Nick will be on BBC radio tomorrow too… 🙂
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Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog and commented:
Nick has reached 45% of his target, but there’s only a few days left before he runs out of time…
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Reblogged this on So, I Read This Book Today and commented:
I hope you will be able to find it in your heart to help Nick out with his fundraising for The United Kingdom Acquired Brain Injury Forum. And if you aren’t familiar with Sue Vincent, I recommend following her site. She is a lovely woman!
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Pingback: #Bloggersbash | What I learned about Bloggers and Blogging | aliisaacstoryteller
Awesome news, may the momentum continue to grow!
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Well, apparently the BBC have got hold of Nick’s story….
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He’s famous!! (and so are you!) 🙂 Nick goes viral – I love it! Rooting for you all the way, buddy!
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He’s getting there 🙂 Thanks, Eliza!
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Just stopped by on my way home from a dinosaur’s birthday party 🙂 and what a post to land upon! The power of blogging to connect people with one another, the power of words to connect people (even with themselves, as your other recent post about Nick and the Anne McCaffrey book reminded me) — yes. YES to all of this. And thank you for *your* words.
best wishes to both you and the triathlete!
alice
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You meet some great people at dinosaur’s parties 😉
Thank you … it has been a rather surreal day today with the BBC running Nick’s story… words make all the differnce. No matter how we find them 🙂 Thanks for stopping by 🙂
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Reblogged this on Musings on Life & Experience and commented:
It has meant so much as this explains.
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Nick’s story touches my heart. Sending hugs to both you and Nick.
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Thanks, Michelle 🙂 Not long now!
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