I walked in, having finished the morning’s work before I would normally have left the house. It is almost like having a day off. The dog looked at me reproachfully from under the sofa cushions… at least until I picked up the leash. She hadn’t been happy about my early morning sortie without her, long before the hour when she would normally have been up and about. Ever hopeful, she had still managed to dump the tennis ball at my feet. I had looked reproachfully too… at the alarm clock. Three in the morning is no time for the damned thing to start shrieking that I needed to be up for work. I wasn’t alone though and it wasn’t all that long before the half-expected text came through, checking I was up and would be there on time.
The roads were clear. Few are out at that time of day, so the drive in the dark took little time and, as all preparations had already been made, I hoped the morning would unfold smoothly. Which, surprisingly enough, it did, with time for another run through of the speech while Nick decided whether he was more stable standing with knees flexed or locked if he had to hold both his notes and his walking frame. “You don’t have to think about this stuff,” he pointed out, quite rightly; the behind-the-scenes planning is far more complex than most people would ever know.
Breakfast and a final steaming of the suit, the poppy pinned to the lapel and the walking frame strapped to the back of the wheelchair… then I waved Nick off on his way to the station, where he would meet his companions, with whom he had competed in the triathlon. They are on their way to London, the UKABIF convention and the Royal College of General Practitioners, where, according to their website, Nick “will be a guest of honour” so they “can thank him properly” for the funds raised through your sponsorship of Nick, Heather and Eva’s participation in the Para-Tri triathlon.
From ukabif.org.uk
Which leads me to my main reason for writing this post today. I have written before how much of an impact it has made that Nick has been given such support and encouragement by people worldwide. It is not so very long ago that his self-confidence and opinion of his own worth had been knocked so low because of his perception of an altered appearance and capabilities that he had become almost a recluse. I am ‘just’ his mum… anything I could say was only to be expected and could be dismissed as words of loving reassurance. Learning to value himself and his abilities again was a major turning point… and much of that has been because of YOU.
Nick wrote on his new blog: “To the bloggers that have followed my story on my mum’s blog and been regularly posting comments – THANK YOU. I feel like I know you all very well now. My wanting to help others is partly because of your kind words. Hearing your views on my actions really put things into perspective. This recognition meant that where I had not appreciated what I had overcome, I was made to re-evaluate how I perceive my achievements. What you’ve done for me is having a chain reaction. I want to share this feeling with others which is why I will be working with sufferers of neurological injuries, with the help of The Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital where I am currently having rehabilitation.”
Feeling a little teary reading that again, I too want to say thank you once again to everyone who has shown Nick such support. I tried to tell you… but perhaps seeing what he is now achieving will carry more weight than my words. Don’t ever underestimate the value of believing in someone and the difference that can make. It really can change a world.
Sue Vincent's Daily Echo 
believing is only part of it, Sue. Love and caring both pay an important part in achieving anything in this world… and I for one are the richer for knowing you and your family.
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Thank you x
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I presume the photo is after the haircut 🙂
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Oh yes 🙂
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Where there is a will, there is away and more so when there is a strong support team. Well done to Nick.
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Thank you, Hermann.
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Believing in someone is caring; ‘I do it’ instead of ‘I want to do it’ is a mountain moving mindset, Sue. I agree with Jen: I am richer for knowing you and your family.
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Thank you, Karen. Nick’s attitude has brought him a long, long way so far.
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Reblogged this on Richard Ankers and commented:
#inspiration
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I wonder how many computers you have fused with tears today with this post. Having a strapping boy myself it isn’t hard to understand what you are feeling and have been through and how these moments will impact you.
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I hadn’t thought of that…. both my boys are very special young men, but today is Nick’s day and both the culmination of an incredible journey and the start of a new chapter for him. I think anyone who has had a a hand in raising a child must feel it.
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Reblogged this on Ginz&Tonic and commented:
I don’t often reblog stories but maybe I should start. This is a truly inspiring story and no more so than it demonstrates people power – the capacity of another human to instil worth and belief in another who has been knocked. So many will recognise this in one form or another.
As for me I can verify just how amazing supportive folk are after over five years now of dealing with PoTS, autonomic dysfunction and latterly episodes of AF plus the recent onset of arthritis. To those reading this who know someone who battle with their health and well being or disabilities daily, please take note. We can all make a positive difference in other people’s lives. The question is will you chose to do so? Thanks Sue for this wonderful post.
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This is wonderful, Sue – I’m so pleased for you both! And I’m enjoying Nick’s blog – he seems to have inherited some of your gift for writing 🙂
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He’s always had a way with words 🙂
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Look at what HE’S done!!!! 🙂 (And I love that he is blogging!)
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Just a beginning too 🙂 ( And so do I… about time, if you ask me 😉 )
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Congratulations to you both for hanging in there and keeping the faith. Sometimes, the biggest miracle is the human spirit’s determination to overcome everything.
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Nick has that, I think, Marilyn 🙂
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It is a pleasure to follow and support one so strong willed and determined, Sue. Both Nick and yourself can rightly be proud of all he has, and no doubt will continue to, achieve..
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Thanks, Darren. I’m on tenterhooks tonight waiting to hear how his day went 🙂
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Nick’s progress is supported by a terrific stage manager. 😉 DNA and upbringing is evident as well. He took the ball and ran. I can just imagine how far he will go with it. You should be rightly proud 🙂
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Fair bursting tonight, Eliza, with the news I’ve just had 🙂
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Hope there’ll be photos!
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So do I! x
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WOW…dapper for sure!! I knew him when…. 🙂
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😀
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Spiffy! And, these posts really need a #Kleenex warning! 🙂
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Ooops 😉
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❤
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Well! That picture had me smiling and crying at the same time! I have an inkling of what it has taken to achieve that, and just how much it means. Well done, Nick and Mum! I think, Nick, you are taking your first steps on a new and exciting journey! Good luck with this event and your speech!
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Wait till you see the outcome 😀 Kleenex alert, I believe 🙂 xxx
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Oh God… I’ll have some ready, thanks for the warning!
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I’m still sniffing 😉
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this is so amazing.
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And just a beginning 🙂
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As I have said before, Sue, Nick is a huge inspiration for many people. I know he was always a part of the blogging community through your blog but it is now even more satisfying that he has taken over the reins from you and has his own blog. When ever I think to myself “I can’t do that” I think of what Nick has done.
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I’ve wanted Nick to do this for a long time, but with all the physical difficulties and the time it therefore takes him to do what would take us minutes, then the time had to be right. It seems it is now 🙂
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Totally agree. I’m looking forward to reading his post so he can tell it in his own words. It must have been an amazing day.
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Apparently THE most amazing day, according to Nick 🙂
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Now you’ve got us all as teary-eyed as you. Kleenex shares much have leapt in value.
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I knew I should have bought shares years ago 😉
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So pleased for you all. I saw the photos in Twitter. You’re all amazing people. And so much more to come, I’m sure. ♥
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Thanks, Olga. Nick has done so much already… and yes, much more to come from him too. ❤
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Pingback: Sue Vincent: Look what you’ve done…. | The Linden Chronicles: The Wolf's Moon/The River
This is true synergy; as we lift Nick up, we become stronger ourselves. Support, compassion, comfort, joy… this is truly what humanity is all about. ♥
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The more we give, the more we have to give… the human heart can be the cornucopia of the gods if we let it.
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Beautifully said, Sue!
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Thanks, Wendy.
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