Story with Organ Donation Wales

Hello, This week i had a Story run along side Organ Donation Wales and the Welsh Government about the new change in Organ donation Law coming into Wales on the 1st December 2015, this new Law is extremely important, it will potentially make more organs available for transplant to help save even more lives. 

Have you thought about organ donation yet?
Maybe you'll be someones Hero Like Someone is Mine. 

Check out the story to see how things changed for me.
Eternally Grateful to my Donor and Family.

Thank You. 

Picture's from Huw John 

David Morris

A total inspiration for a second chance in life

As soon as he was born, David Morris (27) from Brecon was rushed away for medical checks, and he was diagnosed with the genetic disorder Cystic Fibrosis. David had an initial operation when he was a day old, and thankfully went on to be relatively healthy throughout his childhood.

However, when he was 18 years old his health started to deteriorate. Seven years later, at the age of 25, he hit a really bad patch, from which he didn't bounce back. His lung capacity went rapidly downhill and in February 2014 he was put on the list for a double lung transplant. Nine months later in November 2014, he received the life saving operation and his life has completely changed for the better.

David said, "My health has always been affected one way or another by my Cystic Fibrosis condition, but life began to get pretty difficult about two years ago when my lungs started to fail. Despite my efforts to remain fit and active, both on my bike, and with my physiotherapist at Llandough Hospital in Cardiff, I ended up on oxygen most of the day. I eventually got to the point where I couldn't leave the house or climb the stairs without having to stop half way up to sit for a while whilst I got my breath back. This meant taking care of myself become almost impossible and I'd have to wait for someone to come home to get me something to eat.

"Life was tough. But then I received the call that a suitable match had been found and I was to receive a double lung transplant. From then on, life changed pretty quickly – and has been brilliant ever since!

"The operation took place at Harefield Hospital in London, and I spent just over three weeks there recovering from the operation. During this time I tried to start getting fit again. Within three days of my operation I managed to cycle three miles on the static bike at the hospital, and it was then I knew I'd done the right thing going ahead with the lung transplant.

"When I got back home to Brecon, 17 days after my operation, I dug my bike out of the shed and my cousin and I went on a 15 mile bike ride. It was such an immense feeling. I knew from that point I wanted to cycle as much and as far as I could. I've since been involved with a number of cycling events and competitions, and I plan to do a cystic fibrosis charity bike ride in Hay on Wye at the end of June 2015.

"I appreciate how lucky I've been. My life has been completely turned around as a result of getting a new pair of lungs, and I'll be eternally grateful to the donor and their family for giving me this second chance at life.

"I've since started a post transplant blog in which I aim to give other people who are going through what I went through, some hope and to show them that there can be a light at the end of the tunnel.

"I think the new legislation has got to be a good thing as it's helping raise awareness of organ donation, and hopefully the outcome of this will mean more people as potential organ donors."

You can view the Story on Organ Donation Wales Website also at http://organdonationwales.org/Your-Stories/dave-morris/?lang=en

Thanks

David 

Pen-Y-Fan 886M

Pen-Y-Fan 886M

So, for some people that know me could remember a time when i couldn't walk very far or even Climb the Stairs. In desperate need of a new set of lungs, whilst waiting for that opportunity to happen, you begin to think of things you'd like to achieve when your fit and well, living in the Brecon Beacons National Park myself in such beautiful surroundings, when i look out of my the windows in my house, i can see the Crug in one Direction and Pen-Y-Fan in the other, i always knew i would make it back up to Pen-Y-Fan when id had my transplant.

Unfortunately here in Wales we don't always have nice weather, so up until now iv put off Climbing Pen-Y-Fan until now when the weather is more suitable.

My day started with a gentle walk up the the Trig point up the Brecon Beacons Visitors Centre, with a simple climb of just 156ft in 1 Mile.

Mountain Centre Trig Point.

The Second Climb of the day was The Crug, to the Trig Point a climb of 282ft in 1 Mile.

The Third Climb of the day would be Pen-Y-Fan, i waited for Emma to finish work, and we made our way to Storey Arms, where we would start the walk, as we crossed he bridge over the stream that runs down the mountain, i could see the route we would be taking, standing at the bottom it looks further and steeper than it does in the car when you drive past. We stopped a couple of times on the way up, then as we got past what may have been around half way, we stopped for some juice and a sit down, Emma asked if i was ok to carry on, with a reply of "Im not stopping now"! off we walked, it wasn't long then before we got pretty close to the top where the paths level off for a little bit, before the final climb to the summit, after some pictures we walked over to Corn Du, and then made our way back down back to the Car and home for a cup of tea. 

Myself up the Top of Pen-Y-Fan. 886M

Me stood with some Sheep on Corn Du. 

 Myself and Emma at the top of Pen-Y-Fan 

Sat thinking how lucky i have been to have received such a gift.

With out my Donor Donating their Organs, i believe myself and one other, (that received the Heart) would probably not be here to experience these magical experiences. 

Have you thought about Organ Donation? 

http://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/index.asp

Thanks for reading. 

David Morris. 

6 Months ago i couldn't even Climb the Stairs.

6 Months ago i couldn't even Climb the Stairs. 
Today i climbed 1,943ft

The Wild Boar Chase

As part of my own self belief and achievement and to show what can be done if you really want it, i signed up todo The Wild Boar Chase (17/5/15), a mountain bike ride in the Forrest Of Dean. Having never ride or driven through the Forrest Of Dean i really wasn't sure what to expect, what sort of terrain, how many climb's? Would it all be on Fire roads? Single tracks? Forestry? Big climb's? Big decent's..? So to prepare for this through out the week Myself and Gringo rode some random rides out and about locally to us, trying to incorporate various situations, i prepared my bike and got all my kit together on the Friday, and on Saturday i was at a wedding all day so i was tired and aching from that, which wasn't a great start. 

Gringo Picked me and my bike up at 7.30 and we made our way to Speech House in the Forrest Of Dean, as we arrived in the field (Car Park) there were probably around 300 cars already there, we parked up and went to sign on and collect our Number plates and Route, We then met some lads we would ride with, Ian, Ike, Dan, Brad, and Gareth these lads are Beasts! Dan and Brad went on to complete the 45Mile Route! 

So at around 9.45 we made out way to the Start along with 1100 other riders. We hung back towards the back of the cue as there was far to many bikes bunched together, and at 10 o'clock we set off, passed the start line with the chap blowing his Horn, there was probably 800 bikes in front of us, i was quite happy towards the back of the pack altho it was a little dusty for the first mile.

The first 2 miles were quite flat and fast, then we came to the first climb, cycling in a pack definitely helps your performance, digging in to get to the top, at this time i was riding with Ian and Gareth, i Worked with Ian for about 3 years while i working before i became to unwell and needed the Transplant. Graham was ahead a bit ahead riding with Ike, Dan and Brad. The first 4 miles were all on Fire roads, with plenty of room, then we split off onto a single track where we found Graham waiting for us, then there was a 30 minute wait which we originally thought was a check point, it wasn't, the track went down a through a single track forrest trail, some riders with less experience were walking their bikes down through this and holding people up, which was unfortunate, all the warming up we had done before, it felt like we were starting the ride again from the start. Even when we were going down the trail through the forrest we were being held up, when we finally got through the forrest we were back on a fire road, fast decent down hill, before the next climb..

This was at the Bottle neck down into the Forrest. 

Fast forward to around 15 Mile, the riders were now very well spaced out, blasting through another single track forrest, i had a bit of a shock, all of a sudden i come to a stop, my helmet almost ripped my head off, my Go-Pro was caught in a low hanging branch, trying to reverse on my bike with riders behind me was quite awkward, Graham had shot off through the forrest at this point, he loves zooming off through the trails, id catch him up at some point, we got to the food halt at 17 Mile, had a few glasses of water, and made our way to the split where we would decide which way to go next, it was either do the 7 Mile forrest loop around the quarry or take the 5 mile back to the finish, altho our intensions were todo the 26 mile Forrest Boar, i was feeling quite sick after stopping for something to eat and drink, at his point my New Lungs felt amazing but the rest of me was starting to hurt, so we decided to get to the finish at 22 Mile, in 3 hours, including the 30 minute hold up. Graham managed to loose his Go-Pro off his helmet after the 17 mile food halt, so we went down in the van to check anyone had handed it in anywhere, and luckily as i write this now, a walker has found the camera and has posted it back to Graham. So good new's!

So, i completed my first Mountain Bike Event.

Altho we didn't complete the 26 Mile we intended to I'm still massively chuffed to have got around in the time we did, with no problems, and no mechanical failure or punctures. 

I hope by me doing this i can inspire others to get involved in any type of exercise or activity they enjoy, and prove to them selves that anything can be achieved if you have the will power to follow it through. 

6 Months ago i couldn't even Climb the Stairs, Today i climbed 1,943ft on a bike, this ride was hard work, it really took some mental work to get up some of the climb's, you kind of have to pick a tree of telegraph post as the next goal to pass before you decide to stop and have a breath or a drink, each time try to pick a tree further away from the last, this really does help your endurance and stamina to push onto the next, if you reach that tree and decide i can keep going, pick another tree and make sure you get to that one! 

This really does prove that after a Double Lung Transplant My Life has changed Massivly! 

I have a couple of other rides planned, one in Hay-On-Wye for Cystic Fibrosis a 16 mile Road ride, altho I'm not keen on riding on the road's hopefully i can get some people together to ride with me. 

Emma is doing a 100k nigh ride in London which i may join her on yet depending how i feel.

Then My Next MTB Event will be the Brecon Beast in September.

Here is my Strava on the left and for some reason it decided to pack in at 13.8 mile.

On the right is Grahams Strava, So we did 22Mile in 2:59:12

And Climbed a total of 1,943ft 

                            Here is Brad's 45 Mile! Insane!               Here is the a Graph of the 

                                                                                               Elevation from Graham

Thank you for reading. 

Davee. 

Boar Taining with Massive Dai and Gringo

Boar Taining with Massive Dai and Gringo, (Matt and Graham)

So this week Me and Gringo are getting prepared for our 26 Mile MTB Ride in the Forrest of Dean (The Big Boar Chase) along with 1103 other riders, altho this is not a charity event we will be wearing our CFT T-Shirts on the day. So Started of with a ride to Tal-Y-Bont, 9 miles from my house to Tal-Y-Bont, then a blast up the Old Brinore Tram Road, which was used to transport Coal and Limestone to the Canal to be distributed around Mid Wales, The Tram Road was operational between 1815 and 1865 and since has become a great cycle route up over Trefil and Tal-Y-Bont, this track is seriously rough and isn't easy to climb, it took a little longer than we thought so as time got on it started to get quite cold and would soon be dark so we made our way back down the decent back into Tal-Y-Bont where there is conveniently a tidy pub for a pint before we made our way back along the canal to Brecon, The ride was 21.4 Mile and we climbed just 692ft but it felt like double that climb..

Here is Tal-Y-Bont Reservoir form half way up the Tram Road. 

Had to Stop for fluids.. 

 Here is the Details of the Ride, You can follow me on Strava by searching for David Morris 

Sorry this isnt the  Most Exciting of Posts

Thanks.

Trip over the Gap with Massive Dai and Gringo.

Trip over the Gap with Massive Dai and Gringo. 

(Matt and Graham) 

1-5-15

So i have been training todo a bike ride on the 16th May in the Forrest Of Dean, where i plan todo a 26 mile ride (The Big Boar Chase) off road on my mountain bike with 1040 other riders and Gringo..

So i was knackered and really wasn't keen on riding, but Massive Dai had just bought himself a new bike, so i got dragged out up to Tal-Y-Bont to the entrance to the Gap road where we left Gringo's Van, and went over the Brecon Beacons back towards Brecon. 

This was an 8.9 Mile ride, with a 818ft Climb. 

So you may notice 2 of the Bikes are identical, then there's my Orange in the Middle. Just beyond that gate is the highest railways tunnel in the Uk. Torpantau tunnel served the Brecon - Merthyr railway line for around 80 years. Here are some pictures when we walked through about 2 months ago. 

Here are the Bikes at the top of the Gap, before the Descend back into Brecon. 

Here is the View you can see over looking Brecon, With Pen-Y-fan being to the Left of the picture. 

So on the rough decent back towards Brecon, Gringo managed to destroy a tube, so we stopped to change the tube, and carried on....

 No less than 30 second later on the bike... he did it again, luckily he was carrying 2 new tubes. 

 This is me stood on the Gap, about to descend back into Brecon home. 

Whilst i was tired before and really wasn't keen on riding, actually the ride made me feel really good, sometime just getting up and doing the things you love can help you keep motivated and determined to achieve your goals in life! 

Thanks For Reading. :) 

An evening walk up the Crug.

An evening walk up the Crug.

15-4-15

The Crug is a hill in Brecon that has a Trig point, a climb of 283ft from where we parked, and around 2 mile walk up and back down in total. Altho i can see this Hill from my front door, i have only ever been up here once, and once your on top its like a different world. 
Many moon's ago on this hill was an Iron Age Hill Fort, (c.800BC to 75AD)

Here Myself, Emma, my good friend Bubba and his little dawg Chester had just got to the summit of the drug, stood just in front of the Trig point with Pen-Y-Fan just behind to the right of the picture. 

As the sun was setting time for some pictures.

Sun setting above the Trig Point. 

In this picture if you know where you was looking you can see my house. 

 Sometimes its nice to sit and Reflect.. 

Thank's once again for reading. 

Water Falls, Walk's...

We actually visited here in April 2015...

Well what fantastic weather we have had here in Wales, This week i have been busy exploring some old waterfalls iv not been able to get to in so long, So first of all, i went to Talybont Waterfalls on Monday, a lovely peaceful trial walk around the Talybont forestry, up the one side of the valley around a mile and a half, cross the river and a mile and a half back, here we seen around 3 decent size waterfalls here is the first water fall you see at the highest part of the walk, before returning to the carpark.

Here is the First big Waterfall you come across if you walk the Trail Clock wise. 

Here is the Second Waterfall along the Trail walking back towards the carpark. 

 

Here is the Third Waterfall, there are lots of Falls, along the walk but not as big as these one's. 

The next day we decided to go to Batman's Cave (Henrhyd Falls)

These Falls were used the in The Dark Night Falls Batman Film, Now iv never watched Batman and i have been here before when i was about 10 years old i came here with school, although i remember walking behind the waterfall i don't remember much else from the trip, so it was great to come back and do it all again, So we headed towards Colbren Glyneath, arrived at the car park and made our way down some very steep path's towards Henrhyd Falls. Here are some pictures from what its like at Batmans cave, this waterfall is so much more impressive when its in flood. 

After spending some time behind the Waterfall annoying some Chinese Walkers, We made our way back to the car park, which in total was probably around a 4 mile walk, and the steep hill back to the car was a challenge.. there are many different routes to this Waterfall some longer and maybe on more of a level ground. If your a Batman Fan, this is defiantly a place to go! 

On our was home from Glyneath i decided we would go and see a Standing Stone we visited about a 10 months ago? This stone is Extremely impressive, its Massive!! 

Standing Stone - Maen Llia

OS grid reference SN924191

The last time i  came here was at a time when i could hardly walk and catch my own breath, it was at a time i was really struggling but so determined to get out and about, at about 60m from the road, i really wanted to go a see this Standing Stone, i had driven past is so many time's but never actually gone and had a look, so i decided although it doesn't sound far, when your gasping for Oxygen at every breath this was quite a walk for me. So here i am, the Standing Stone in the distance, thinking about how I'm going to get to the stone with out getting into much of a pickle. 

 Here i am after about 10 minutes at the stone recovering. Im 6ft tall so you get some idea of how large this stone is! (3.7m High)

 Here i am at the Stone again, around 10 months later, all be it a bit scruffy but with new Lungs..! 

 Me and Emma at the Stone Together. 

And for a bot of fun we always park in the Ford, (River Crossing) about a mile away from the standing stone, and take some pictures. So here is my Old Mini, and My New Mini. 

If you've got this far and haven't got bored of me yet.. Thanks for reading!