Rehabilitation 2014-2015

THIS IS MY STORY
Every story always begins at the beginning. This is how my story began in 2002 when I was born in a sporting family as the third child. I have got a 4-year older brother and a 3-year older sister who are both very good skiers. As I did not want to lag behind I learnt my first skiing curves at the age of three. I always wanted to catch up with my brother, therefore, my skiing progressed fast. Soon I joined them and trained skiing with them. As a preschool skier I was one of the best in Slovenia and I won some important international and national competitions.
I also trained other sports, like football, basketball, tennis and enjoyed in motocross racing and water scooter riding as I loved the speed and the smell of gasoline.
In June 2014 I and my family set out for a holiday in Hawaii. On the first day I went wind surfing with my brother and sister. Waves were quite little and I waited patiently on the surf board to ride a wave in the right time. Finally, I rode a wave successfully and suddenly I had pins and needles in my legs. I felt something was wrong and so I left water and looked for my parents on the beach.
I felt tired and went to our hotel room with my mum. I took a shower, laid down on my bed and then strange things started to happen. I started to lose the feeling of moving in my legs. I was scared. I tried to move my toes and legs but I couldn’t. I was frightened and asked my mum for help. I could feel my legs but I couldn’t move them anymore. At that moment I thought I am going to die. I cried. The whole family tried to help me but in vain.
Everyone asked me what was wrong but I was not able to tell them. I was completely helpless. Soon the ambulance and doctors arrived and I was at the hospital quickly. There we were told that Surfer's myelopathy is suspected - an illness that has already affected some athletes when surfing. After the medical checkup I was unfortunately diagnosed with this illness. 20 athletes were diagnosed with this illness in last years and I was the youngest one. Most of them are still on the wheelchair as there is unfortunately no medicine for this illness; only strong physiotherapy which can return one’s ability to move.
I have already started with rehabilitation in Hawaii where I was firstly taught how to operate my wheelchair. This was the only means of transport for me and very soon I could master it. Driving on back wheels was my new “sports” discipline. However, I have never given up and trained for many hours every day. At first, I did exercises with different exercise devices which enabled me to strengthen my muscles and later with the Lokomat robotic leg rehabilitation devices. Doctors found out that the signal in my spine is not disconnected and this motivated me to train even harder.
After four months I started to walk by using walking frame and my “racing wheelchair” sank slowly into oblivion. Walking frame was soon changed for crutches and later I was presented with an electric scooter which helps me to overcome long distances. After a year I started to ride a bike and at the seaside I switched on my water scooter again. After some attempting I managed to stand up and to ride it. Then I felt the speed and “the smell” of gasoline again and I found out that my secret wish to ride a motocross bike is coming true and my hard trainings were repaid.
However, I have never forgotten my sports love - skiing. I asked myself very often how to start again and this winter this doubt was got over when I stepped onto my skis again. While sliding down the mountain I was proud of myself as I proved that even impossible goals can be achieved with the strong will!
At the beginning of my injury everyone told me that I have to face with my disability and to find another life path. I have never accepted this fact and also in difficult moments I tried to keep my thoughts positive which helped me to stand on my legs and my legs will return me to my sports that I adore.
TIM MAROVT