Shaun's Story

Hi, I'm Shaun. Sometimes in life our greatest challenges become our greatest opportunities. It would be simple to say that is how I always saw things after my accident but I have been so lucky, in my recovery, to meet amazing people who have pushed me on to achieve more than I could ever have expected when I was lying in that hospital looking at the end of the bed and seeing no feet sticking up under the sheet!

To enquire about working with Shaun email:

info@b5consultancy.com

My Story

On 1st July 2016 I was an ordinary lad in his 20s, preparing for a pre-season at Newmarket Town (white boots bought!) when everything changed in an instant.

The fact that I didn't die that night is something of a miracle. If Joey hadn't managed to call the ambulance, if the car the driver was driving had been a bigger vehicle, if East Anglia Air Ambulance hadn't got there in time, if the incredible medical team hadn't worked so hard and with such skill, so many things went my way that night ... and that's an important way to look at it. Mine is not a sob story - as easy as it felt sometimes to just cry and feel sorry for myself - I want to spread positivity, try to help people make better decisions on the road, and see if I can have some small beneficial impact to as many lives as possible.

Getting to as many football clubs as possible is a real aim. In my darkest hour many football people were there. From my own club Newmarket Town, to nearby Cambridge United, to Ipswich Town where I spent two seasons coaching the Under 13s and even the team I've cheered on since I was a boy, Chelsea. Visiting those clubs to share my story has been special and kicking a football for the first time since 2016 in the training dome at Chelsea's Cobham training ground is something that will stay with me forever.

Drink driving is something I will call out forever but it's not just drinking and driving that is an issue. Young lads showing off to mates, weaving in and out of traffic, footballers in high powered cars (with great power, comes great responsibility!) and, for all of us, being distracted by our devices. 99 times out of 100 we will get away with stupid decisions behind the wheel of a car - but what about the 1 time in 100? On that occasion lives are shattered.

Aside from football I'm already on to other sports. Speaking at the Professional Cricketers Association Rookie Camp at Edgbaston was special. I think my golf swing is better than my forward defensive but at least there's no danger of an umpire giving me out leg before wicket!

When I'm not on (prosthetic) feet or bum shuffling onto stage to deliver an impactful talk on driving, gratitude and adversity, I'm at crossfit, on blades or on an adapted bike training for marathons and other challenges. It may sound mad to say this but I am the most contented I've ever been. I'm as fit as I've ever been, as challenged and fulfilled and this summer (2024) I will marry the love of my life, the mother of my two beloved boys.