Omar

It was first half and we were leading 2/1. If we keep on defending then we can win. I would have made another 300 rand i.e. 100 Aussie dollars. All for playing semi-professional soccer.
And then it happened. I was not only hit by one car but it threw me into oncoming traffic. Everything happened so quickly because there I lay first in a deep coma for six months. When I was semi comatose I got transferred put of high care into another hospital.

I got transferred again into a nursing home for rehabilitation. Everything was upside down now because of that drunkin driver, I guess its true what they say "shit happens". At the moment I am reunited with my family here in Australia and I decided I never want to leave again.
Look I know its not the world cup, but Saturday I attend swimming lessons with Sandra and now I am capable of doing 20 laps.

There's one thing my mother always says to me :"THE SKY'S THE LIMIT" and do you know what she may be right. Sometimes I think to myself that accident did not send me into a hole to hide and feel sorry for my pathetic self. I still feel I need more intensive physiotherapy. At the moment my physiotherapist is trying to get me to walk without the quad sticks. And you know what that women has more faith in me and my capabilities than I do. I have come a long way t hat is why I must stop being so hard on myself. I mean if I think about it, from a wheel chair to walking with a stick to doing 20 laps. I think am doing alright. Even though I may walk a bit funny at least I am walking. Also my physiotherapist is working on trying to fix up the funnies.

Now the sky really is the limit because I want to study computer at TAFE. Ane maybe go on to do a management course. My mother also suggests I wait for ten years before committing myself to somebody and I agree with her because I am only 25 years old. I must first make a success of myself and my life because not everybody gets a second chance.

Who knows I may be swimming for Australia in the next paralympics

Omar Baatjes Shaik

18/7/2000