DAVID SMITH MBE

player who displays all the characteristics of hope and realistic optimism. He has a great understanding of how important this mindset is when faced with uncertain challenges in life.

Ed was left paralysed from the neck down after he dived into a swimming pool in April 2017.

In a blink of an eye, his life would never be the same.

Ed and I share a mutual friend, Dave Inman, who has nursed me back from several operations at his family home in Bath where he also looks after some of the Bath rugby players.

Dave sent Ed a video of me whilst he was lying in hospital, I guess to show that there is hope.

Now we are both lucky that our spinal injuries are incomplete so with enough rehabilitation and the right mind set we both had the chance to make some sort of recovery. After three years Ed and I finally chatted on the phone this week to share our experiences of these life changing moments.

What was obvious to me is Ed is a merit finder, always searching for solutions and ways in which he can push forward.

We can all learn from Ed’s approach to his spinal injury during current times. How would you approach a lifechanging situation like going from a healthy rugby player to being paralysed?

Ask yourself if you are a merit finder or a fault finder. Where do you place your focus? Do you find yourself currently finding faults in everything? Or are you cultivating your hope on the person you want to be on the other side of Covid-19?