Four Years Since Diagnosis and the Transplant Games

It is hard to believe that only four years has passed since I was diagnosed with kidney failure. So much has happened in that time and I have gone from being seriously ill to being extremely well.

So what's been going on? Well this year I decided it was time to get fit and healthy. To help me to achieve this I decided to enter into the Transplant Games which is like the Para Olympics but for people who have received a life saving transplant.

I contacted my local team, which is Plymouth as that is where my transplant took place, and was immediately made extremely welcome when I attended my first team meeting. By getting into contact I was committed, in my mind, to attend the games.  

Next I had to chose which sports I would take part in, there are lots but I decided on swimming as I used to be fairly good at it, over 20 years ago!!!! 

Those who know me will be well aware that I am a competitive person. Being extremely unfit at this time, my competitive nature was not very well aligned with my ability!! I therefore set about getting fit once again by swimming before work each day. My first time back in the pool was an eye opener. I still had my swimming technique but that is pretty worthless when you are gasping after one length!! 

However, I stuck at it and in no time I was swimming a mile every day before work and increasing my sprint times to a reasonable level. 

Time seemed to fly by and before I knew it I was on the team mini bus on the way to the games in Bolton with mum (Trev came up later).  Below is a picture of the Plymouth Team at the Opening Ceremony:

I spent the first few days supporting the other members of the team and watching them achieve exceptional success at their own sports, bringing back numerous medal for the Plymouth Team.

Before I knew it Saturday morning was upon us and I was due to compete in the afternoon. I was very nervous all of a sudden! I hadn't had the opportunity to do a practice race nor had I dived in off a block! I was just hoping I didn't do a belly flop!! 

Well I'm pleased to report that I did really well! A medal in each of my races as follows:

50m backstroke - Gold

50m freestyle - Silver

100m freestyle - Silver

50m butterfly - Silver

50m breaststroke - Bronze

The small Plymouth Team of eight competitors came home with an impressive haul of 12 gold, 6 silver and 6 bronze medals! 

I'm now hoping to achieve even more next year. I have organised to meet the head coach of Helston & Carn Brea swimming club next week and I hope I'm good enough to join! With proper training I might be lucky enough to come home with another gold next year! Who knows!