The Little Big Things - Henry Fraser

I stumbled upon this book accidentally whilst perusing Waterstones late last year (it always happens), and hadn't got round to reading it until about a fortnight ago. I picked it up originally as it sounded like an uplifting and inspirational story, and I wasn't wrong. The Little Big Things is the memoir of a young man, Henry Fraser, who goes on holiday with his friends to the Algarve in Portugal, and after diving into the shallow depths of the sea hits his head on the ocean floor, severing his spinal chord, and becomes paralysed from the shoulders down. Firstly, what struck me most about the accident was that he hadn't jumped from a height, or a cliff, or a precipice recklessly - he had run from the beach to cool down in the water and dived forward into the shallow surf. It was a freak accident that could happen to anyone.

Tragically, the holiday almost didn't happen at all. When he got to the airport he realised his passport was out of date, and when his parents saw how disappointed he was to be missing out on some fun in the sun with his friends, they frantically rushed to update the passport and managed to fly him out to the Algarve only a day later than his friends. Sadly this was not to be the happy trip that he had hoped for. As the events of the horrific accident unfolded, Henry, then 17, was rushed to hospital where he soon discovered that he was unable to move anything from the shoulders down, ending his promising rugby career in the blink of an eye. The memoir recounts his feelings, experiences and emotions whilst going through this life-altering change, as he learned how to eat, speak and retain some element of normality.

Despite his injuries, which would be enough for most people to give up on their life ambitions, Henry went on to reach every target he was set for his rehabilitation, and push far beyond that. What started as him playing around on the Paint app of his tablet soon inspired him to pursue mouth painting and he has since gone on to display his artwork at exhibitions. To read this memoir, it seems too amazing to be true - Henry has achieved so much despite his paralysis, and has overcome countless obstacles, whilst still remaining an incredibly positive, hopeful and ambitious person. His honesty and frankness regarding his mental and physical health prior to the accident, as well has his unbelievable tenacity, is so inspiring and this book was such an uplifting read.

If you’re looking for some inspiration, or if you’re feeling low, I’d really recommend that you read this amazing and moving story of battling through adversity, pushing your physical and mental capabilities, and living life to the full.