Growing up in South London in the 1970s and 80s, Simon Shaw was, by his own admission, a bit of a tearaway. He’d play truant from school, steal car tyres, smoke weed and chase girls.
A talented breakdancer, Simon was part of the burgeoning hiphop scene.
But Simon’s life was to take a tragic turn in 1984 when he was involved in a catastrophic car accident that left him paralysed from the neck down. He was just 16.
Doctors gave Simon just six months to live, that was forty years ago.
In I’m Still Simon, he’ll share how he managed to overcome the darkest times when he considered ending his life, how he learned to accept and adapt to his new reality. An important lesson, he says, was to learn how to accept help. Simon offers rare insight into how to navigate the emotional complexities of a life changing injury. But determined to live his life to the max, here is Simon on a dream safari trip to Zimbabwe where he says, an elephant almost killed him!
Perhaps the greatest blow to Simon after the accident was being told that he’d never be a father. He had always adored kids.
Today, Simon says his greatest achievements are his two children.He has two lads in their 20s - ’they are my everything’ he says.
Join Simon as he shares his inspiring story of living with a severe spinal cord injury. Discover how he has found hope, determination and purpose. He offers encouragement to others living with disability, their families and friends, and those who work with them. Simon says: ‘It’s not about the life you had planned, but about how you embrace the life you have now.”
Veteran journalist Martine Dennis is I’m Still Simon’s producer.
She says: “Simon’s story has universal appeal. His journey through life with a profound disability offers an example to all of us of how to overcome the hurdles and challenges that life can throw at us."
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If you'd like to get in touch about any of the themes raised in my podcast please use the form below or email simon@iamstillsimon.com