A dad-of-two was left wheelchair bound for nearly three months after injuring himself at his son’s sports day.
Simon Fletcher, 40, damaged both of his knees after taking part in a 30 metre dads’ race on June 22.
Competitive Simon felt a "pop" before falling to the floor in "searing pain" at the finish line of the race at his son’s primary school in Burnley, Lancs.
He was rushed to Royal Blackburn Hospital where he was told he could not bend or bear any weight on his knees.
Consultants at the hospital said it was the first time they had ever treated a patient who tore patella tendons in both legs at the same time.
The patella tendon attaches the bottom of the kneecap to the top of the shinbone.
Production manager Simon, who was supposed to celebrate his 16th wedding anniversary on the day of the accident, said: "The dad’s race is notoriously competitive but I’ve never known someone to be taken away in an ambulance before.
"All I remember is running fast then stopping suddenly, hearing a ‘pop’, feeling searing pain and then falling to the floor.
"Someone from the school ran for an ambulance, I was just laid on the floor I couldn’t physically get up.
"I remember the pain and really trying to get up. It was so freaky how it happened.
"I don’t even know, to this day, if I won."
Simon underwent a three-hour operation to reconnect the torn tendons and his legs were put in braces.
He spent a week in hospital before being released in a wheelchair.
Simon could not use stairs because of his injury and had to move in with his parents, who have a bungalow.
He also had to take time off work and was unable to help his wife, Jane, 42, with their two children.
Simon added: "It must have been a few years since the last time I ran in the race.
"I got out of my chair to run and I honestly don’t know what happened.
"My son witnessed it and it has hit him very hard since, he wanted to be with me in hospital and at home rather than school.
"Other parents have been really supportive and everyone helped on the day."
Following the accident, the dad from Nelson, Lancs., set himself a target of walking again by the end of October – in time for the family’s holiday to Disneyland in Florida, where he would celebrate his 40th birthday.
He visited CrossFit Pendle almost every day to build up his muscles and improve his mobility.
Crossfit is a specific fitness program that combines a wide variety of functional movements into a timed or scored workout.
The program involves pull-ups, squats, push-ups, weightlifting, gymnastics, running, rowing and a host of other movements.
Simon said: "I knew I had to get myself back on my feet for our family holiday with our children Amelia and James."
The dad of Amelia, 13 and James, nine, stopped using his wheelchair after about 11 weeks and started using a walking frame and crutches.
He began to learn to walk unaided from October 2 – just three weeks before jetting off for the family’s 10-day trip to the USA.
Simon succeeded in his objective and took his wheelchair on holiday only as back-up, but only used it in the airport and when his legs were tired.
Speaking about his current health, he said: "I’m not there yet, but am certainly well on the road to recovery.
"I think I might ask if we can do an egg and spoon race next year. What could possibly go wrong?"
Read More
Top news stories from Mirror Online
-
‘Hurricane Meghan’ shakes up Palace
-
Royal Family caught in ‘tax nightmare’
-
Husband left me for 16yr-old babysitter
-
Escort who hit baby’s skull wins compo
Source: Read Full Article