Tim Stockdale is hoping to leave hospital this Friday – six weeks after he broke his neck in a fall.
The popular showjumper fractured three vertebrae in his neck on 17 October. A youngster he was trying in North Wales spooked and shot forward as he attempted to do up the girth.
Tim told H&H he had just taken his first steps in the spinal injuries unit in Oswestry where he has been receiving treatment.
“I can’t tell you how pleased I am,” he said. “I’m like a child at Christmas! All I’ve been looking at for the past six weeks is the ceiling.”
Doctors immobilised Tim in order to stablise the injury.
“I’ve taken my first steps today (Wednesday 23 November) and I’m sitting here in a wheelchair,” he said.
“They’re trying to get me stable on my feet. I’ll be going to the gym later for a bit of physio.
“If everything goes to plan and my blood pressure doesn’t go up, then I think they’re wanting me to go home this Friday (25 November).”
Tim’s wife, Laura has been making the four-hour round trip to Oswestry from their yard in Northamptonshire several times a week.
His top rides, Fresh Direct K2 and Fresh Direct Kalico Bay, have been turned out for a holiday.
Although he is in good spirits, Tim told H&H that it would take some time to build up his strength.
“I’m still in a collar,” he said. “It just feels weird. I’m very weak because I’ve lost a lot of muscle.”
