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We
have a huge task ahead of us! My goal is to buy approximately 130
million wheelchairs. This can only happen if thousands of people
join in and become active supporters, donating and raising funds.
The basic framework is in place. The foundations are laid. What I
now need from you, is for you to show your commitment by making a
donation and spreading the word.
As an individual I cannot accomplish this task but with YOUR help
I can do it!
Many
thanks for your interest.
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HOW
I LOST MY LEGS
In
1972 I was the Paster of a small non-denominational
Church in Hemel Hempstead and leader of a youth movement
called JESUS LIBERATION FRONT. The movement had spread
rapidly throughout the country and when the unique cross-carrying
evangelist Arthur Blessit (www.blessitt.com)
came to Ireland, six weeks later he left about 3000
young people that had become Christians.
This
was a real move forward for the peace movement and I
went to Belfast to see if we could, as an organisation,
help the process of bringing Protestants and Catholics
together. The first visit went well and after a day we
had organised a rally for the Saturday and placed an
advert in the paper. The Rally was a success and 300
turned up! I was to come back the following week to
speak to a group of church leaders from all
denominations to discuss with strategy with them.
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However,
the day before, we heard that the Air Controllers at Heathrow had
gone on strike and all planes were stopped. After hours of phoning
around we found one plane still flying. We booked the last two
tickets available. The next morning I rose early and one of our
members drove myself and my companion Breda to Watford Station. We
were half an hour early, it was 5.30am.
While
waiting I nodded off to sleep and Breda woke me at 6am. We walked
to the platform and saw the train leaving! I suppose I reacted
foolishly and ran for the train; it was the old type with door
handles. As I reflect back, I know there was no rational thought
at that moment. The result was that I slipped and fell under the
wheels of the last carriage. As I went down I remember thinking,
"Oh God! What have I done?". It was too late. The last
carriage rumbled over me, slicing my left leg and smashing my
right leg below the knee. I lost blood at an enormous rate. As the
blood was being pumped onto the tracks I was calling out
"Jesus - Jesus - Jesus". Two railway staff quickly
jumped onto the track and one tourniqued the right leg while the
other just held what was left of the left one till the Ambulance
came a few minutes later. Had I been further from the Hospital I
would surely have died there and then.
In
the ambulance I blacked out as the Paramedics administered a gas
to alleviate the pain. I thought I was dying and committed my
spirit to God. A few moments later I woke in the Emergency Room
and the pain returned. Five hours later I was in the Intensive
Care Unit after surgery. My life hang by a thread for a week.
After that I was in the General ward and back home in two months.
A year later I had mastered the art of using Prosthesis
(artificial legs) and for many years used them to live an
independent life and continue to work as a Pastor. Now I have
vertigo resulting from an inner ear infection so use the
wheelchair to get around but am still very active and independent.
It's
because of the wheelchair that I can care for myself and travel by
car, but, train or plane anywhere in the world. I am so thankful
for the many people dedicated in helping me and this is what
motivates me to help others. My dream is to enable EVERY
disabled person to have a wheelchair and enjoy the independence I
do.
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