About David
David was educated at Merchiston in Edinburgh and it was there that his passion for sport was sparked. It was rugby and athletics in particular where his talents were most apparent and he played rugby for Scottish schools and won the Scottish schools discus competition. On leaving Merchiston he went to the Scottish School of Physical Education at Jordanhill College to study for a sports degree. His sporting career went from strength to strength and he represented Scotland at U19’s and U21’s, and after a season with Jordanhill he played for West of Scotland, and represented Glasgow.
Not long after leaving College he accepted an offer to go and play for a
season at Napier Pirate and Sports Club in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. Whilst playing a game against
local rivals his life was devastated when he fell awkwardly and suffered a
spinal cord injury at C4/5 level. He spent a couple of weeks in intensive
care and was then flown down to Burwood Spinal Unit in Christchurch where he
stayed for 4 months before being flown back the UK. In total he spent over a
year in hospital undergoing rehabilitation. David's injury initially
resulted in a few months of complete paralysis below the neck but over the
next year or 2 he experienced some very gradual and limited recovery. He is, however, still a permanent wheelchair user.
After leaving hospital he had a brief career in the pub industry in Central Scotland before moving to Auckland (NZ) to study for a degree in psychology and neurosciences. Since his return to the UK, David has completed a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (Newcastle University) and an MSc in Clinical Neuropsychology (Glasgow University).
David got married in 2003 and has settled in Newcastle upon Tyne. He now
works as a clinical neuropsychologist in the Regional Neurosciences Centre
at Newcastle General Hospital working with people who have suffered
neurological injury or illness. He maintains his love of sport and tries to
keep as fit as he can, as part of that he handcycles regularly and
occasionally takes part in more adventurous activities such as sit skiing,
scuba diving, kayaking, paragliding, and even jet skiing.
To support David in his mighty push please click the link below
http://www.justgiving.com/themightypush
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