Wheelchair-bound Chris Cairns on surviving spinal stroke: I’m very fortunate to be alive

Former New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns stated that he does not know if he can stroll or rise up once more however he’s “very lucky to be alive” three months after a medical emergency left him on life help. Cairns, 51, is certain to a wheelchair and is recovering from a spinal stroke that left him paralysed waist down.

“We don’t know what happens going forward. I don’t know if I’ll walk, I don’t know if I’ll stand. But I may stand. I may walk. The only option is to keep going. The thing is, I’m not even just lucky to be (alive). I’m very lucky,” Cairns was quoted as saying by Canberra Times.Cairns had suffered a significant medical emergency – an aortic dissection – in August and was transferred to a specialist hospital in Sydney, the place he had undergone a life-saving emergency coronary heart surgical procedure earlier than going through extra problems within the wake of the spinal stroke.Aortic dissection is a severe medical situation wherein a tear occurs within the inside layer of the physique’s predominant artery (aorta).He has been cleared to begin “using his chest and arms for the first time in three months as he continues his recovery”.”The amazing thing going through this is just the perseverance to keep going in case it comes back. You’ve got to be prepared,” Cairns stated.One of one of the best all-rounders of his time, Cairns performed 62 Tests, 215 ODIs and two T20Is for New Zealand between 1989 and 2006.His spouse Melanie stated, “Chris didn’t just have a stroke one day and (was gone), he had two weeks of being so close to (death). So we start from a place of gratefulness, and every bit we get back after that is just an extra.”He’s right here, he is nonetheless him. Yes bodily challenges, however within the health club he stated (to the workers) you present me the bar and I’m going to smash it down.””He’s tremendous motivated to get again out on the tennis courtroom with our daughter, whether or not that is operating round or in a wheelchair. He’s nonetheless going to attempt to beat her, that is who he’s. That motivation places him in a very good place to attempt to deal with one thing like this.”Cairns also said that New Zealand cricket “may be very, very wholesome”. New Zealand reached a third consecutive ICC world tournament final and faced Australia in the title clash of the T20 World Cup. However, they ended up losing the game by eight wickets.”I performed with (New Zealand coach) Gary Stead in Canterbury for a decade. He’s one of many unsung heroes. The final two years I imply, you understand, New Zealand cricket may be very, very wholesome,” he stated.