On Friday, at the Breaking More Boundaries Conference in Newbury, I was privileged to hear from a number of individuals who have suffered life altering injuries and disabilities but who have gone on to achieve their dreams no matter what. Everyone who I heard was inspirational but none more so than Jonathan Borough (pictured).
Jonathan played a short video (which he had made) entitled “Keep Fighting” about his life, his injury and his determination to never give up on his dreams and goals.
Jonathan described himself as being very athletic, at age 18 he had decided to take a gap year and had travelled to Canada in order to train as a ski instructor. One day Jonathan felt unwell, he took himself off to bed but when he woke up he found himself in hospital and was told that he had contracted meningitis.
He spent 10 days in ICU drifting in and out of consciousness however it wasn’t the meningitis which took its toll but a complication during his treatment which resulted in him being left paralysed from the neck down and needing a ventilator in order to breath.
At first Jonathan could only blink and he described those first few weeks in hospital as being very dark with the idea of university seeming impossible. However Jonathan is a very determined young man. He regained his voice so he could communicate and, determined not to be stopped by his disability, started a course at Plymouth University studying for a degree in Media just six years after his injury.
Jonathan clearly has a passion for film-making and, having graduated from University, is now writing a book whilst undertaking various challenges to raise money for SIA, Wings for Life and Meningitis Now!
Jonathan described to delegates at the conference that he has pushed and challenged himself ever since his injury but it has been worth it. He made everyone think with his mantra:
It is not a disability but who you are and the way you approach life
Jonathan made it clear that being in a wheelchair doesn’t stop him from achieving his dreams and his next goal is to go skiing.
Having clearly had a passion for outdoor activities and skiing in particular, Jonathan initially thought that he would never again be able to experience the sensation of flying through the snow due mainly to his dependence on his ventilator. However, his determination to overcome all obstacles to achieve his dream has resulted in a trip planned for this December.
I for one cannot wait to hear about Jonathan’s adventure and how he gets on skiing at next year’s conference! In the meantime, have a read of my previous blog on meningitis.