Nicola Wilson Update

[Follysmum]

She has an amazing positive attitude, reading her journey so far has been very uplifting. I am 3 years into a spinal cord Injury which stopped my riding, I was hacking no jumping involved , just a freak fall which I landed wrong on very hard ground. I also lost feelings in legs and arms temporarily which is the most scary thing ever.

She is very inspiring and seems a lovely lady , wishing her the very best.

 

[windswoo]

I watched Burghley on BBC2 yesterday after going on Saturday - couldn't believe the interview with Nicola. I hadn't seen the initial fall or watched any of the videos of her on-going rehabilitation, so I hadn't realised that she is (probably - never say never) going to compete again. I knew that the fall was bad, but it was a shock to see. But what a woman - the way she spoke and the attitude/positivity from her after what she has been through what a legend. I hope that she continues to get better and as she said take the next part of her journey with as much guts and determination as her eventing career.
As a competitor and teammate, I'm sure she'll be greatly missed in the sport, but as she said she will still be involved in some way.

 

[Patterdale]

Nicola Wilson is such a massive inspiration for her positive attitude. Many’s the time in the past few months when I will be moaning thinking I’ve got it tough, then I will remember her updates and give myself a good shake.
She’s just amazing and I wish she wasn’t going through this, but I have so so much respect for her.

 

[splashgirl45]

She is being really strong and hopefully will be able to walk in the future , and who knows may be able to hack if thats what she would like to do… i really hope she can have a near normal life..

 

[Bobthecob15]

A spinal injury of that scale was always going to have a slow and difficult recovery, she's amazingly positive and has done wonders. Could tell from the early photos of her being hoisted etc it was worse than people initially thought. Amazing woman

 

[MuddyMonster]

Nicola Wilson is such a massive inspiration for her positive attitude. Many’s the time in the past few months when I will be moaning thinking I’ve got it tough, then I will remember her updates and give myself a good shake.
She’s just amazing and I wish she wasn’t going through this, but I have so so much respect for her.

I said exactly this too. I actually welled up watching her interview, it was incredibly humbling and hugely inspiring.

What a woman.

 

[jnb]

I think Nicola would be amazing as a commentator in BBC/Burghley/Badminton coverage, with Ian Stark - dream team!

 

[sky1000]

She is selling her saddles on her facebook eventing page - heartbreaking

 

[splashgirl45]

Oh no, that is sad.. I still haven’t sold mine after knowing I could never ride again in January this year??

 

[Carlosmum]

Its great to see how well Nicola is progressing after such an awful fall. she has such a positive outlook. A friend of mine came down with her mare a month ago and was catapulted on to her head. She broke vertebrae 1 and 2 in her neck. After 3 weeks in ICU she discharged herself. Amazingly she can walk, and has movement in her arms/hands though I believe she has some loss of sensation. She is being cared for at home by her wonderful husband. I popped in to see her last week she told me the docs had said 92% of people with her injury don't survive. Kind of brings it all into perspective that way. Those of us who climb aboard half tonne of muscle, power and free will are nuts!

 

[sunnyone]

I was really pleased with the BBC for showing Nicola's progress, otherwise the programme was too many interviews and not enough action to my mind.
It's good to know that she is progressing , she has every good wish for her speed of recovery that I can send.

 

[Spotherisk]

Oh no, that is sad.. I still haven’t sold mine after knowing I could never ride again in January this year??

I haven’t sold mine after 2.5 years….

 

[splashgirl45]

I thought I was being pathetic, glad I’m not alone ??

 

[Follysmum]

I thought I was being pathetic, glad I’m not alone ??

After 3 yrs I still have mine for my special horse. It was made for him as a baby and we did thousands and thousands of miles together so for sentimental reasons I am keeping it.

 

[windswoo]

I never sold my first horse's saddle after he died, luckily, I was able to get it adjusted when I got my third horse. It's the only physical reminder I've got of him.
That must have been quite difficult for Nicola - it's definitely saying she's not going to compete again isn't it?

 

[Bob notacob]

No, a saddle is just a saddle! As a Neurosurgeon once told me ,Its the last unknown frontier in medicine.(not saddles ,nerves). You can never be sure that someone is beyond recovery. It is 10 years ago last Sunday that I was scraped up off a xc course. ICU for 4 weeks. Right upper side of my body paralysed more or less. Right diaphragm paralysed (a real bugger!). Was told by GP that it "would be a miracle beyond medical science " to regain these functions as the nerves were crushed . Well folks ,I've got at least 90% back. Oh and don,t know where she is now ,but I got a lot of support from a HHO poster called Kerrilli , so thank you if you are still out there.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I see she went home yesterday! Lovely video update from her! just wow!

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

I just saw the update too and had tears in my eyes, it's so amazing to see how much leg use she has regained so quickly and her positivity is incredible.
So happy to see she's home.

 

[Supertrooper]

Absolutely brilliant update x

 

[Esmae]

Amazing news. So happy for her. Onwards girlie.

 

[Red-1]

Now this is an update I can celebrate!

(although I haven't read the article yet!

The Unstoppable Nicola Wilson to Open Yorkshire Yard for Mentorship & Training | Eventing Nation - Three-Day Eventing News, Results, Videos, and Commentary

ETA - I've now read it and will hopefully be there next summer with BH! - if she is interested in an aged, has-not-quite-been, riding a heavy youngster who would probably prefer-not-to-be with the lofty ambition of a BE80!!!

 

[Supertrooper]

I read it yesterday and thought it was an incredible thing to do

 

[Bearsmum]

What a great improvement, I remember watching on tv and my first thought was oh goodness her family are probably there and have just seen that

 

[Red-1]

I have emailed an enquiry. I would quit other camps this year if she could be remotely interested in doing some training with me. I rather think she will be looking at training better people/horses than BH and I though!

 

[splashgirl45]

What a good idea for Nicola , she will make a great success out of it . What a positive person she is..

 

[Ambers Echo]

I have emailed an enquiry. I would quit other camps this year if she could be remotely interested in doing some training with me. I rather think she will be looking at training better people/horses than BH and I though!

pm me.....

 

[TheOldTrout]

She's amazing. I still have a sneaking suspicion that in a few years, she'll not only be back on a horse but taking the paradressage world by storm.

 

[KEK]

Wow. Fabulous update and so pleased for her. Red-1 if you get to train with her please post about it!

 

[Bradsmum]

She just keeps proving what a remarkable lady she is. I'm sure she has her moments but boy what a positive attitude.

 

[helffrich]

Once again from across the pond: I've been keeping up with Nicola's recovery and, believe me, many of us are as well.
Amazing lady and rider. And to know that through all that she's been through, she'll still be an active member of the eventing community, is the best news!!!!