Warning from man paralysed after dive
AYOUNG man was left permanently paralysed after diving into shallow water during a day trip to the seaside.
Daniel Edwards, 28, from Tredegar, shattered a bone in his back when he misjudged the depth of the sea, diving off a wall about two feet high as he enjoyed a holiday in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, with his rugby team, in August last year.
He’s now speaking out to warn others to take care as the summer season approaches.
Although he was not ‘tombstoning’ – the craze of leaping from a high platform into the sea – Daniel wants people, especially youngsters, to appreciate the dangers of the sea and to check the depth of the water before diving.
“The wall wasn’t that high but I misjudged the water below.
“Throughout rehab I have seen other people injured in diving accidents and I think it’s really important to be careful.”
After jumping, Daniel was taken to Bristol’s Southmead Hospital, where he had a 14-hour operation.
Sadly, however, Daniel’s back was irreversibly damaged and he has been left paralysed from the chest down and will never walk again.
But with the support of his friends, family and girlfriend, psychology student Katie Morgan, 30, Daniel is determined that he will be able to go home and live independently.
He said: “Before the accident, I was always really active. I was working, or training for rugby, or snowboarding. Those are the things that I miss most.
“It’s a really sedentary life, being in a wheelchair, but I do still feel quite positive about my future.”
Following surgery, Daniel was moved to the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, to be closer to home, where he remained in intensive care for two weeks.
Although some movement did return to his arm, Daniel realised that he would never be able to walk again and life would be very different.
But he is grateful for the support of his friends, family and girlfriend, who has stood by him since the accident and visited him at the Rockwood Hospital, Cardiff, where his recovery continues.
The couple had been together for 18 months before the accident, but had been friends for 10 years. He said: “She is with me every step of the way, but I was determined that she wouldn’t become my carer. I am determined to look after myself.”
After 10 months in hospital, Daniel is hopeful that he will be able to return home in July. Since April he has been going back home for weekend visits.
He said: “I need to do a lot of adjustments to my house but I have a flat I can go to temporarily. I am fundraising so I can live as independently as possible.”
To donate, visit: www.justgiving. com/crowdfunding/matthew-edwards