MARTYN'S MIRACLE RECOVERY
Coach regains movement in legs against all odds
THE story of Mountaineers coach Martyn Ford is one of determination and inspiration.
When Mr Ford was working as an assistant coach for the team back in 2016, he was in a wheelchair.
It was the result of C6-C7 exploding in his neck, cutting his spinal cord and leaving him a quadriplegic.
A relentless desire to continue his fight paid off, with Mr Ford regaining movement in his legs against all odds.
“Initially I had nothing from the neck down, so I had to relearn everything,” he said.
“I had to relearn how to talk properly, to feed myself and to move again.
“It’s taken a lot of money and six years of rehab to get where I am today.
“I think I’m the only quad walking unaided.
“I’m still classified as a quad because I still have no feeling from about my belly button down.
“It’s taken a lot of willpower and has been a big emotional rollercoaster in learning how to create a new pathway.
“The power of the mind is incredible.”
The road has been a long and tough one for Ford.
Tattoos completely cover his arms and back as a reminder of the path he has been given, and that he is standing proud today.
“It really puts things into perspective,” he said.
“One minute I was walking, the next I was on the ground.
“It’s been an interesting journey, and that’s why I’ve got so many tats.
“They look at the journey of a family, my two kids, the time of the accident on my arm, and the demons I had to beat.
“On my back I’ve got a whole mural on the wheelchair and going through things, but they’ve all got their significance.”
Mr Ford said the journey had also helped him from a coaching point of view, which he hoped could translate into success for the Mountaineers in 2020.
“It just helps in being able to identify when people are going through tough times and just know there’s always a solution and always a way; you just need to find it,” he said.
“The main reason I came back up here is because I started working with the kids when I was up here last time, so I had that emotional connection.
“I just want to see the program thrive.
“I was lucky enough to be down in Victoria to be close to NBL1 clubs while coaching down there.
“I think the time is right for me to come back up and hopefully build something special here. Toowoomba deserves it. These kids deserve a really solid pathway.”