Cameron Toomey: Lacrosse coach, family man, accountant and friend with C5-C6 quadriplegia.
I played lacrosse at state and national level before my accident, and used to run, ride and lift weights – I was very active.
I’m still the same person with the same interests now – I’ve just found new ways of doing things.
Now I coach the lacrosse team I used to play for, and I love it. I get out on my handcycle, and I still lift weights. I have friends around for dinner instead of playing golf. Maybe you can’t do the same things, but you can still do things.
Tendon transfer operations gave me a strong grip in each hand. Being able to open a door, shave yourself, even open a can of Coke – these are big things.
It’s important to take responsibility for your own life. I shop online, and get the lawns and cleaning done. I work as an accountant. Nicki and I are building a house and that’s another full-time job! I stay involved, because it’s too easy to get caught up in dependency.
You have to be super-organised to deal with the change you’re going through. And you can still get satisfaction from the things you enjoyed before your injury – just in a different way.
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