A year of living dangerously
In March 2023 I got back on my bike after being hit by a car in 2022.
The plan was to finish my nearly 10,000 Kilometre 4points ride around Australia.
To be honest the first day back on the bike was nearly my last. I had already been doing some mental gymnastics to prepare for what was to come, and a mere bloody 17 km in an arsehole in a car sent me into a spiral on a roundabout.
It was near death by a thousand cuts. Everyday there are people who don't give a stuff that they share this world with other people, and it got me really angry.
I was in tears and emotional on the side of the road, I wanted to finish the ride right there and then, but my mum and dad got me off bike and said, "give yourself a bit of time to decide. Have a rest and tomorrow we'll make a final decision on whether to keep going."
It was good advice. Giving myself some time to reflect and think about why I was doing the ride was what I needed to gather my strength and reset myself mentally.
Reflecting back, this was my lowest point in 2023 but if I hadn't gotten back up I would have missed the highest point. I celebrated my 30th birthday in Cape York with the people that care most about me in this world.
This year is one that I won't forget. I have learned a lot about myself, and I hope that what I have learned peddling around Australia is of benefit to others.
In 2024, I am going to keep talking about stroke, inclusion and equity. I wish the stroke community all the best for the rest of 2023, and I look forward to sharing what we're up to in 2024.
Have a safe and happy Christmas – Tommy."
