Norman defies life changing health setbacks to complete adapted triathlon

A participant in Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Macmillan Move More programme who lost a limb after a farm accident five years ago has defied a series of health setbacks by completing an adapted triathlon challenge.

Norman Todd injured both his legs in November 2018 and his right leg was eventually amputated.

The 69 year-old father of one was told he may never walk again and would be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

Despite a number of setbacks, including his rehabilitation being put on hold during the Covid pandemic and a complicated hip replacement operation in 2022, he has worked under the guidance of Council’s Move More Coordinator Sean Hargan to improve his fitness and mobility.

The Macmillan Cancer Support programme works in partnership with local councils to provide the support people living with cancer need to improve their fitness.

Norman qualified for the programme following his successful recovery from prostate cancer in 2011 and despite the life changing setbacks he has experienced over the last 12 years he remains upbeat and determined to maximise his health and quality of life.

With the help of an adapted car he now drives himself around Ireland including trips to Lisburn to see his daughter and three grandchildren and his fitness has reached the level where he completed this week’s challenge of a mile distance on the exercise bike, hand bike and rower.

“I’ve had my setbacks but for me the key is you have to keep at it every day, if you don’t move it won’t happen,” he said.

Norman Todd pictured during his triathlon in the Derg Valley Leisure Centre with front, Michelle McDougall, Siobhan Burns, and back, with DC&SDC Council Team, Robert Snodgrass, Fitness Instructor, Sean Harkin, Move More Coordinator, Vincent McCarron, Referral Program Consultant, Nik Monteith, Fitness Instructor, and Anthony McGonagle, Participation Retention Officer. (Photos: Karol McGonigle)

“Physio’s told me I would never walk again, I could have accepted that and stayed in bed but I made a choice that I wasn’t going to let it happen.

“I’ve been active every day of my life working on the family farm and I was a lorry driver all over the UK and Ireland for 30 years.

“I decided I was going to keep moving and get fit to give myself the best possible chance of recovery.

“It started with just taking a few steps every day after I was discharged from hospital and with Sean’s guidance over the last year I’ve now reached the point where I can complete this challenge.”

Norman was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in 2011 and made a full recovery after 35 radiotherapy sessions in the City Hospital.

He advised anyone recovering from or living with a cancer diagnosis to consider the Move More programme which has had over 500 participants locally in the last six years.

“I was really fortunate that there were no side effects to my treatment,” he continued. “I would advise anyone recovering from cancer to stay active as it is proven to give you the best chance of recovery.

“I work with Sean every Wednesday and he has been a great mentor and always encouraged me to set new fitness goals.

“I’d absolutely recommend the programme to anyone, if there’s nothing ventured there’s nothing gained and it can change your life.

“You have to always look forward and be positive, don’t think about what you can’t do, think about what is possible.”

Move More NI is delivered by Macmillan Cancer Support working in partnership with physical activity providers, local councils and health and social care trusts all over Northern Ireland to provide the support that people living with cancer need to improve their fitness.

To get involved or for more information on Move More in Derry and Strabane call Sean on 07872423754 or email sean.hargan@derrystrabane.com. 

Visit www.macmillan.org.uk for comprehensive information and support, including Macmillan's latest guidance and advice on the impact of coronavirus on cancer care.