Australian Story on ABC – Mick O’Dowd has survived the unthinkable. Four years ago, he contracted a sepsis infection and nearly died. The price he paid to live was high: the amputation of his limbs.
“What’s the other option?” Mick asked his wife Katharine at the time, as he struggled to understand the enormity of what lay in front of them.
“The other option is not to go through with it and not stay with us,” she told him.
Three years since first speaking with Australian Story, Mick O’Dowd and his family have come a long way.
Mick is gradually gaining some independence.
He’s now able to do some of the things he loves. He’s learning to swim and scuba dive again. And he’s back on the water, sailing solo, with the help of volunteer group Sailability.
“It’s the enjoyment of actually doing something independently,” says Mick. “It’s absolutely incredible, I can go out and sail this boat all by myself.”
But it’s not all plain sailing.
“I can tell when Mick’s having a down day, when he’s a bit more quiet than usual,” says Katharine. “But those down days aren’t very common.”
“Sometimes I feel I’ve made no progress because I still require a lot of help, “says Mick. “But then when I reflect on it…I’ve come a long way. Life’s good.”
AUSTRALIAN STORY – Monday, 10 April, 8pm on ABC TV and ABC iview
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