Posted on August 28, 2025

It’s the 28th of August already—can you believe it? Where did the summer go? One moment I was bracing myself for six weeks of school holidays, and the next I’m sitting in the garden, basking in the sunshine, kids playing in the background, reflecting on how fast it’s all flown by.

Now, to be clear, I wasn’t worried about the usual summer holiday challenges—you know, keeping the kids entertained without requiring a bank balance that rivals Elon Musk’s. No, my real anticipation came from the fact that this was my first summer as a dad in a wheelchair.

If you’ve read my earlier holiday blog (Wheelchairs, Lovebirds, and Little White Eggs: A Summer’s Day in the Garden Jungle), you’ll know I had more than a few doubts about how this would play out. Would I keep up? Would the kids adapt? Would I spend most of the summer watching from the sidelines while they ran rings around me?

Well, let me tell you—none of that happened.

Game Changers and Wheelchair Bandits

Early on, my new Quickie Nitrum active user chair arrived and completely changed the game. Suddenly, I wasn’t just keeping up—I was part of the action. And the kids? They adapted better than me. Honestly, they’ve been an inspiration.

Every day it’s been, “Dad, can you BBQ?” “Dad, can you push us on the swings?” “Dad, are you coming swimming with us?” They’ve dragged me into everything, no complaints if I can’t do something, just plenty of encouragement and the occasional cold drink brought my way.

Of course, I do live with one major domestic threat: Hallie Hot Wheels—my two-year-old daughter and notorious wheelchair bandit. The moment I transfer into my armchair, she swoops in like she’s claiming treasure, gleefully stealing my chair as if it’s the best toy in the world.

A Summer of Healing

We’ve had picnics, BBQs, beach trips, zoo days, meals out—you name it. It’s been a whirlwind of family fun, but also a season of healing and growth.

When I came home from hospital, after almost a year and very nearly not making it, I was a different man. Over 14 years of memory gone, a fractured identity, and questions about who I was now that the military, contracting, and bodyguard life were behind me. A career built on toughness and vigilance doesn’t exactly translate smoothly into wheelchair parenting. And don’t get me started on my brain’s new lack of emotional filter—dangerous in a world where cancel culture lurks around every corner!

But here’s what I’ve learned this summer: masculinity isn’t about what job you do, or how many high-risk operations you’ve run. The skills that kept me and others alive—resilience, adaptability, focus—are just as useful in this new life. And yes, it turns out you can teach an old dog new tricks. My kids have proved it.

Strength in Small Things

The summer has taught me to find real joy in the small things: an afternoon at the park, the kids bringing me a drink without being asked, the cheeky grin of Hallie Hot Wheels as she wheels away my chair. I feel a deeper contentment now than I ever thought possible when this journey began.

None of this would have been possible without my wife. She’s been the rock holding everything together: caring for the kids, advocating for me when doctors doubted I’d make it, and still managing to inject love, humour, and reassurance into every day. My recovery and growth—our family’s healing—owe everything to her.

Looking Ahead

As Lilly and Harry sharpen their pencils and get ready to head back to school next week, I’m setting some new learning goals of my own. New challenges, new interests, new adventures. And while the summer holidays are ending, we’re not done with family fun. Evenings and weekends are still ours—when the sunshine fades, we’ll trade BBQs for board games, beaches for baking, and plan ahead for our next big trip. (Don’t tell the kids yet, but Euro Disney 2026 is already on the horizon!)

This summer started with anticipation and a fair bit of worry. It’s ending with empowerment, growth, and more than a few hilarious stories. That, I’d say, is a summer well spent.

✨ Thanks for following along with our holiday adventures. If you’ve enjoyed this blog, stick around—there’s plenty more to come as we trade swimsuits for school uniforms and sunshine for board games. What about you? How has your summer shaped you? Drop your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear.