Spinal injury survivors set to tackle Abel Tasman
Two men who had severe spinal injuries after crashes four years ago are back on their feet and about to tackle a great walk.
This Wednesday, good friends Andrew Leslie and George Thompson will embark on their Abel Tasman National Park mission as part of their long road to recovery.
The 60km undulating walk is a daunting physical challenge for both men. It’s not only the distance but the fact they will be walking for five days in a row.
The pair, who met in Christchurch’s Burwood Spinal Unit four years ago, said they were doing this walk for two reasons – to prove to themselves that they could do it, and to inspire others living with impairments. “And we are using this walk as a platform to champion better accessibility in the outdoors,” Leslie said.
He has come a long way in four years but still finds it tough to negotiate some parts of what should be considered accessible tracks because of a lack of maintenance. “It’s a complex problem to solve, but sometimes resolving relatively small issues can make a big difference.”
When Leslie, now aged 51, was in the spinal unit in 2020 after a mountain bike accident, his family was told to expect him to be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life.
But Leslie set himself some personal challenges. In 2021 he walked back to Mākara Peak to the scene of his accident. The following year, he ran 5km around Karori Park and last year he completed an Outward Bound course. “A part of this is for me is to prove to all the people that tell me I cant do it, that I can do it.”
When he called Thompson with the Abel Tasman idea, he did not hesitate.
Thompson, now 67, said he would never have believed at the time of his quad bike accident that a feat such as tackling the Abel Tasman on foot would be possible.
“The fact that four years on from that moment, when they gave me a 20% chance to walk again, that I would be walking around the bloody Abel Tasman, is quite extraordinary,” he said.
In Levin in February 2020, Thompson broke his neck in a farming accident when he crashed his quad bike into a drain.
“I knew it was serious straight away,” he
“The fact that four years on from that moment, when they gave me a 20% chance to walk again, that I would be walking around the bloody Abel Tasman, is quite extraordinary.”
George Thompson
said. “I heard the crunch in my neck when I went into the drain. I could stand for a split-second and then my legs gave way and I could feel a tingling sensation.
“I remember thinking I have got myself into the shit with my wife here … this isn’t going to have a good end.”
He was flown to Christchurch Hospital and admitted to the intensive care unit fighting for his life. He would go on to spend six months in the Burwood Spinal Unit.
While Thompson was coming to terms with his new reality, Leslie had his mountain bike crash in Wellington.
“I remember the helicopter buzzing overhead and being winched up,” he said. “And the rotor, and the noise and the wind through my hair as I went up to the helicopter.
“t is very scary to think back on.” While on his difficult journey to recovery the pair met in the Burwood courtyard.
“I remember thinking straight away that this guy is a real character, and he likes to have a bit of a laugh,” Leslie said.
Thompson agreed that they “hit it off straight away and have been laughing ever since”.
While the pair were learning about life with a spinal cord impairment, New Zealand was placed into Covid-19 lockdown and they both fully committed themselves to their rehab. They said ACC played an important role in their rehabilitation.
“I simply wouldn’t have achieved what I have without their constant support and help,” Leslie said.
Thompson said New Zealanders were lucky to have a scheme like ACC. “For people like us it has given us the chance to have a second crack at life.”
Both men refused to accept the prospect that they might not walk again.
“We really pushed each other,” Thompson said.“We both set the goal of walking out of the Burwood Spinal Unit and to achieve that feat was both incredible and surreal really.”
The constant through their time in Burwood, and now as they get ready for this challenge, has been banter.
They were looking forward to continuing that on one of New Zealand’s Great Walks and they wanted to share some advice for those who have had similar spinal cord injuries and are at the start of their journey.
“Keep your chin up,” Thompson said. “I'm absolutely amazed at the progress I have made, but you can’t do that without the support of your wife, my physio … say thanks to the people around you.”
Leslie said it was important to know that big things in life were still possible. “If you have a dream and a vision in your head, and you really believe in that, then these things are achievable.”