I’m excited for Friday as I’m off to see my family; brothers, sisters in law, nieces and nephews and my extended family.

I don’t see my cousins or my auntie and uncle much so it should be fun.

When I was in rehab I was desperate to leave. It’s awful living in a hospital for 10 months, very little privacy, clinical and being surrounded by 50 other wheelchair users it’s a constant reminder of what has happened to you. After 10 months I left, and vowed never to return.

I was lucky that I had lots of friendly visitors and I decided that this was for the long haul so I should bond with the staff. It’s hard to be cheerful and patient amongst the chaos of rehab but I thought’d it was important to have stability when my friends and family couldn’t be there. The nurses initially do everything – they wash you, you are often naked, they see you laugh and cry. They become your support network. I found some real classics – my nurses teased me and we often giggled which was more than light relief.

Recently I returned to rehab for my two-year check up. It involves an ultrasound (I’m not pregnant thank God!); a few x-rays and a check up with my consultant where we run through any ongoing issues and maintenance of a spinal injury. Think of it as an MOT.

Once the appointments were out of the way I decided to head back to my ward. The reaction was great – beaming smiles, hugs, and many compliments on my appearance. I told them what I was up to, about my column, family news. I then headed into the cafe, where yet more people recognised me, then the physios heard I was there and I got dragged to the gym. All this attention could go to my head – I almost felt like a celebrity.

I also like those going through rehab to see me – a normal guy wearing jeans and a jumper (tracksuit and t shirt is Stoke Mandeville ‘uniform’) laughing, looking happy and healthy and hugging his way around the hospital. I hope they saw that things do get better.

Oddly as I left again I felt I didn’t want to leave. One of the cool things about being in a wheelchair is that you are often remembered especially if you are outgoing like me. I realised that I have more than an extended family I have a second family at Stoke Mandeville and who doesn’t want more family to hug!