My brother Paul was callously mown down in a hit and run incident when in Tenerife on June 6th 2020 during the Covid pandemic . Prior to that, he was a confident mechanic and scuba diving instructor. His leg was unable to be saved and shortly after, his lower left leg was amputated.
This was life changing , no more scuba diving, no more driving, his confidence was non existent, I visited him in hospital and had to take a few minutes before I walked into the ward, knowing that his life had changed so much and he was going to be facing massive challenges and hurdles. He was ashamed when he looked in the mirror, he was horrified as to how he looked and felt. He struggled with everyday tasks that able bodied people take for granted, walking, running, cycling etc, going to the toilet was a tough one, no more jumping out of bed, Within months, he was back to working and sat inside the engines of cars to repair them.
Once the swelling had reduced he was fitted with a prosthetic leg which he had to learn how to put on, the socks and liners that needed adjusting depending on swelling or shrinking of his stump and then coping with the pain that comes from having a prosthetic leg, cramps, phantom limb pains and sores.
However, 4 years on he is learning more about adapting to life as an amputee, he has not allowed it to define who he is, he is still my younger brother who used to tease me when we were children, I cant say how immensely proud i am of him and the hurdles he has overcome and will continue to do so even though he faces pain everyday.
This skydive is on the 4th anniversary of when he was hit and he is doing this to raise funds for a charity I have the privilege to work for, its called Fitzroy Connect in Coventry. All the people we support have learning disabilities, which is also close to my heart as my eldest grandson who is 4 years old will in time need the support were trying our hardest to raise much needed funds for.
He is not doing the skydive alone , his carer (Kerry) who is also his best friend will be supporting him along the way to the site, and then will jump before him to be on the ground to help and celebrate when he touches down to the ground.
Please help us help others, all funds raised will be donated to the charity as Paul and Kerry have personally funded transport, accommodation and the costs of the skydive itself so no deductions will be made, every penny raised will go to Fitzroy.
I know times are tough at moment with the cost of living crisis, but every penny raised counts and will be forwarded onto the charity.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Janet Finan