From a Broken Neck to the English Channel

Every so often, a former patient gets back in touch and reminds you just how long the journey can be.

Recently, I heard from James McNamara, whom I operated on at Prince of Wales Hospital in 2000 after he broke his neck in Fiji. Twenty-six years later, James is preparing to swim the English Channel as part of a relay team, raising money for Aspire, a UK charity supporting people living with spinal cord injuries.

His story is a wonderful reminder of how fragile life can be, but also of what can be achieved after a serious injury. I’ll let James tell the story in his own words.

Dear Charlie,

My name is James McNamara. In 2000, after breaking my neck in Fiji, I was treated at the Prince of Wales Hospital near Sydney where you operated on me and repaired my neck.

The reason I’m writing now is that I’ve recently signed up to swim the English Channel as part of a relay team, raising money for Aspire, a UK charity supporting people living with spinal cord injuries. Preparing for the swim has made me reflect on that time in my life and dig out some old photos — including one of you and me together from a time when you had a bit more hair than you do now!

Despite the circumstances, I actually look back on that period with a strange fondness. I never doubted I’d make a full recovery and, thanks in no small part to the work you did, I’ve gone on to have a very full and active life. I now have two wonderful children and an amazing wife, and I stay very active with cycling, skiing, surfing and the occasional triathlon.

Signing up for the Channel swim really made me reflect on how close I came to a very different outcome. It felt like the right moment to finally get in touch and say thank you.

I’ve followed your career from afar over the years and have always admired the work you’ve continued to do.

Thank you again for what you did for me all those years ago. It made an enormous difference to my life.

With very best wishes,

James McNamara