Disability Sport Wales
Chwaraeon Anabledd Cymru
The Federation of Disability Sport Wales (FDSW) is a pan-disability National Governing Body of Sport Which aims to promote and develop quality sports opportunities
Battling teen who defied odds set for epic bike ride
FOUR years ago, Daniel Johnsey was left in a coma after being hit by a car, while waiting for his school bus.
Now he is training to cycle 600 miles across France, with his uncle Stephen Flynn, to raise money for the charity HCPT.
Daniel, 15, had just started at Chepstow Comprehensive School, when the accident happened close his home in Wilcrick, near Magor on November 9, 2005.
He suffered a severe head injury, a broken pelvis, a broken left arm and his left foot was nearly severed. Daniel was in a coma for 10 days and in a “locked-in” state for five months, unable to communicate.
Five months after the accident, Daniel was sent to London for rehabilitation, where his parents were told he would never walk again.
After 22 operations, including several to rebuild his foot, and sheer determination, Daniel is not only walking, but started riding a bike again last November.
Daniel has been supported to develop his cycling skills by Neil Smith, Coach at Newport Velo Cycling Club and Disability Sport Wales Academy.
Earlier this year Daniel travelled to Lourdes with HCPT a charity which helps organise trips to Lourdes for disabled people, and when he came back he decided to take part in the charity’s annual fundraising bike ride.
Daniel’s mother, Sarah Johnsey, said: “We’re immensely proud of him and a future that once looked very bleak has certainly improved significantly over the past few months.
The ride is due to take place in March starting in Dinard, near St Malo, Northern France and finishing in Lourdes in the Pyrenees.
To take part in the ride, he and his uncle need to raise £5,000 and a dance is being held at Llanwern Golf Club on November 20.
For more information or to donate money to help Daniel reach his target call Mrs Johnsey on 01633 881327.
Pilgrimage site is place of healing
Known as a place of spiritual and physical healing, Lourdes is a small market town at the foot of the Pyrenees, where the Virgin Mary appeared to St Bernadette more than 150 years ago.
Millions of people travel to Lourdes on pilgrimage every year in the hope of being healed.
HCPT takes around 2,000 children to the town each year.
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