Three years ago Bruce Ford was lying stricken on a Portuguese hospital bed after an accident involving a mechanical bull rendered him paralysed with a broken neck.
Well, it’s fair to say the Airdrie dad has since taken the proverbial bull by the horns during his astounding recovery.
Doctors told Bruce it was unlikely he would walk again after the near fatal incident while on holiday with friends in Albufeira in September 2016.
But the determined 51-year-old built his strength back up and is now even able to get behind the wheel of a car.
Now working from home as a project manager for Lloyd’s bank, Bruce has been able to get around with the aid of walking sticks for more than a year.
Despite his development hitting a “plateau”, he is determined to keep making progress every day.
He said: “Medics had written me off and said I’d be in an electric wheelchair for the rest of my life.
“They didn’t think I’d get much better in any way. I felt a lot of pride when I was able to get back on my feet.
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“I never thought I would get this far but I knew I would try my hardest.
“I still fall down now and then but the only way I can fall is if I’m standing in the first place.
“My balance is a problem sometimes and there’s a huge difference in walking outside compared to the flat surfaces in my house.
“The tiniest bumps in a pavement make it feel like I’m tackling Everest.
“It takes me about an hour to walk down to Gartlea’s Tesco and back, which is normally a 20-minute trip.”
Bruce, who is originally from Sunderland, also revealed he had extra inspiration to get back on his feet.
He continued: “My wife Louise and I got married in September 2017, and I was able to do a small bit of walking down the aisle. It was tough, though, and I was in the chair for our first dance!
“She’s been an amazing support.”
