A Note of Encouragement
My name is Graham Hendley. In 1973 I was involved in a road accident that left me paralysed from the neck down. After leaving hospital, I spent the next 10 years living at home with my parents. I needed intense care, my Mum and Dad had to do so much. Too much.
Before my accident I worked hard and played hard. Suddenly there was nothing. There was nothing to get up for. I seemed to spend all my time watching pointless programmes on TV or people doing things that I used to enjoy. I was in a state of total despair, as if I had fallen down a massive black hole with no way out.
In 1985 we tried a two week respite care break at Greenacres, a Leonard Cheshire home which was a great success and I immediately applied for a residential place. During other stays I came to know one of the colourful residents called John Bunce.
