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JERRY MCGRATH |
Weblog: A young jockey making a name for himself
Talking to Mick Fitzgerald reminded Jerry just how lucky he was
PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)Not how I planned on spending my 21st
AS FAR as 21st birthdays go, I don't think too many people will be that jealous of how I spent mine. I've certainly had better birthdays, 20 of them to be exact, but on the plus side it was a very cheap night.
I've watched the slow-mo a few times and my neck was actually horizontal to my body before I went flying down the track, which just goes to show how resilient the body is.
I'm just so thankful to be in one piece and able to walk out of hospital the next day - especially when you look at the likes of Graham Lee, Richie Killoran, Choc and a few others, who are all out for several months, it does hit home.
By the time I got to hospital I'd had so much gas I drifted off but I was conscious for the whole thing and remember very clearly lying there with my body twisted the wrong way and unable to move it. You have a few panicky thoughts when something like that happens but the medical staff on course, and then at the hospital, did a brilliant job with me.
I could feel my legs and move them and there isn't a bother on them, but my upper body is aching all over and I'm in a neck brace, although that's just precautionaryrather than necessary. There isn't a part of me that doesn't hurt though and it's everything, any little movement, it just hurts!
Back on Boxing Day
I've been down Oaksey House and Frankie Naylor, who looks after all the jockeys, has had me on the bike to keep my legs going and keep the muscles working. Next week she's designed a full program for me so I can make my target of riding on Boxing Day a reality.
Initially, when I realized nothing was broken, I wanted to come back this weekend, but reality kicked in on Monday morning when the painkillers had started to wear off and I could hardly breathe without it hurting.
Wise words fromFitzy
Mick Fitzgerald has been a huge help, he broke his neck in a fall and he sat down with me and told me how lucky I was and reminded me not to take advantage by rushing back. He's right of course, you're in such a rush to get back you don't think about these things and with Christmas Eve and Christmas Day blank there's no need to rush back anyway so I'll take a few extra days.
My poor mother
Everyone has been so supportive and I've received so many messages from people, which is very humbling, and Mr Henderson is always calling me and checking on my progress but I feel so sorry for my poor parents.
They came over for a nice weekend for my birthday and I don't think what happened did my mother's nerves any favours. It's par for the course and they know it comes with the job, but you know what parents are like and my mother had a good old worry about me.
Given that I have a bit of time on my hands I've bought a Christmas tree today, which I plan on decorating tonight, and I'm just trying to keep myself busy, but that's pretty difficult when you're bound to the sofa.
Thanks again to everyone for their kind messages. You can follow me on Twitter between blogs @JerrymcGrath
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