Noah's Journey : From Tragedy to Triumph
Meet Noah, the life and soul of any party! This admirable young man's life changed forever after a serious accident in 2019. Noah faced a tough recovery; however, his journey over the past five and a half years has been marked by resilience and determination. He's here to tell us all about his path from training to be a professional rugby player, to having to learn to walk again, and how he turned adversity into opportunity and joy. Join us in exploring Noah's incredible transformation and his proof that determination (and a wicked sense of humour) can and will lead to triumph whatever life's challenges.
Please tell us a little bit about yourself, your accident and how the last 5 years have shaped your life today…
Hey! My name is Noah Rees, I’m 24 years old and I'm from Peacehaven in Sussex. When I was 18, just before my A Levels, I was out celebrating a friend’s birthday when I suffered a life-changing injury. I fell 10 meters, backwards off Brighton's promenade. The fall left me with a completely fractured skull, a broken spine, and broken ribs that punctured both lungs. I also ruptured a kidney and split the artery supplying blood and oxygen to my brain. The resulting oxygen deprivation caused multiple brain injuries and for my body to shut down. The six weeks that followed the fall were spent in a coma.
Although I remember very little from the day it happened, I do know I am very lucky to be alive.
Prior to my accident, I was an athlete and actively training to become a professional rugby player. I was captain of rugby at school and even led my college rugby squad to victory in the National Championships. My accident meant in an instant, everything changed. I found myself bedridden and battling for my life. Looking back now, I firmly believe that rugby saved my life. The strength in my body from regular training was almost certainly why I survived the unthinkable.
Today, my journey revolves around reclaiming every motor skill, functionality, and the vital connection between my brain and body, which are all things I took for granted before. When I fell, my life completely changed, but it didn’t end, and for that, I feel very lucky, and every day I am incredibly grateful to be here.
The mental impact of your accident must also have been huge, has anything specific supported your mental health whilst navigating rehab and adjusting to life with a disability?
Honestly, seeing progress in my cognitive skills has been the biggest boost to my mental health. There was a time when I found myself in a dark place, feeling as though I wasn't enjoying my life and didn't want to continue. Fortunately, I managed to rise from that pit of sorrow and made significant changes for myself! I dedicated my time to working hard in the gym, I play brain games to tackle my mental challenges, and have tried to do everything I can to give my life meaning again. Despite the darkest of times, I’ve slowly fought my way back and now feel great; I have so much to live for!
How have you found transitioning to using mobility aids?
Once I regained consciousness from my coma, I relied on a wheelchair for my mobility. It was the safest, fastest, and easiest way for me to navigate my surroundings. After 13 months filled with hospital visits and ongoing care, I was finally discharged and ready to begin rebuilding my life at home. I was determined to step out of my comfort zone; although it felt secure, I wanted to challenge myself and start walking with mobility aids.
My experience with standard hospital crutches wasn’t very pleasant; they were noisy, metallic, and caused pain in my hands. Using a walking stick felt less secure and significantly slowed me down. However, I noticed significant improvements in my gait pattern, which assured me that I was making the right choice.
Two and a half years ago, whilst on a walk with a friend, I spotted a woman using Cool Crutches. I was immediately drawn to them and wanted to know where she got them from. They looked not only stylish but also comfortable... so, two days later, I had my own pair at my doorstep and they changed my life! I wouldn't choose anything else now. I feel that instead of highlighting my disability, they just enhance my style. I've got a few different designs now, but my current favourite has to be Emerald Sky or Disco. I just love that my Cool Crutches allow me to express my individuality without feeling confined to a 'box' because of my disability.
Do you feel adjusting to a disability is supported by society? Have you faced any stigmas?
It’s getting better, but we’ve got a marathon ahead! People often assume that you are academically inept if you struggle with walking or speech, which couldn’t be further from the truth. Plus, accessibility in the UK still has some serious growing pains. My biggest struggle is my mobility issues. Couple those anxieties with inaccessible places, and it can make already difficult moments even more challenging. BUT I have found that when I visit other countries, those hurdles seem to vanish! Take Copenhagen, for example; it’s super disability-friendly and accessible!
What advice would you give someone who is facing a life-changing diagnosis or injury? And how would you help them improve their life?
Don’t lose hope! If you feel like there’s no purpose, nothing worth fighting for, or no reason to continue, it’s time to shift your perspective. It doesn’t matter if you can’t pursue the things you once dreamed of. What truly matters is that you are still here. Seek out something that ignites your passion and invest all your energy into it. For me, that passion is Paralympic Sport, and I’m determined to make it to the 2028 Paralympics.
The best advice I've ever been given is 'Life is like waiting for a bus. There’s always another opportunity in 5 minutes!' and I try to live by this every day. I would always say your life will improve the day you break away from your comfort zone and look for ways to improve your quality of life. You will feel a huge sense of achievement, just knowing you tried your best and you got up every time you fell.
Your diagnosis is a minor setback; your recovery is your major comeback.
The biggest thank you to Noah for sharing his story with us, for being utterly encapsulating on social media and showing us there is always hope for a better future. To follow Noah in his phenomenal quest for the Paralympics in 2028 check his profile out on Instagram @come_on_noah
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