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PADDY DUNN'S STORY:
Paddy Dunn features in our "Executive Brochures" which we use when making appeals for funding. In the brief story which accompanies Paddy's photograph, the words "Paddy continues to fight for acceptance from the community" perhaps sum up what this indomitable person is all about.
Just before the Christmas holidays of 1972, at the age of 20, Paddy was involved in a serious motor vehicle accident which left him in a coma for 4½ months, severe paralysis down his right side and with no speech for well over a year. Before his accident Paddy had been a talented show jumper and led a full and exciting life. His rehabilitation was a lengthy and frustrating process but this man has spunk in spade-loads! Not only did he eventually learn to walk and talk again but the list of jobs he took on, in spite of his disabilities, is mind-boggling.
Paddy worked in Parks and Gardens, in a textile shop, as a lab technician and even sold Security Systems door-to-door to mention just a few. This was not easy for a man who was often taken for a drunkard with his slurred speech and rolling walk. Needless to say, his sense of humour and determined spirit got him through many a difficult situation. More recently, because of the constant strain on his joints, Paddy had to abandon his crutches and take to a wheelchair, which was bad news to all his friends at Headway.
Predictably, this did not last for long and we were delighted to see his smiling face when he visited us last week back on his crutches. Paddy wrote his life story some years ago and we have a copy in our library. He would be proud to know that people had read his story and we would like to let our readers know that it is available - just ask Rose at reception. Paddy has a fervent desire to motivate others and believes that our minds are very powerful and can achieve miracles in a damaged body.
He has a strong faith and believes in the power of LUCK (Paddy Dunn style - "Labour Under Correct Knowledge") - in other words keep trying, remain positive and don't forget that a smile adds to that luck!
Click Here to go back and read some more stories.
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