Gary Williams - British Cyclist Proves Anything is Possible
Much of Gary Williams’ childhood was spent in and out of hospital as he fought a courageous battle against bone cancer. Diagnosed with the disease at just seven years of age, Gary talks of having had at least 17 major operations before his 14th birthday.
The bones in his right forearm were gradually destroyed by a persistent and aggressive tumour and in 1982, Gary’s consultant recommended he have an above elbow amputation.
At the age of 14, Gary underwent the operation at Arrowe Park Hospital, on the Wirral. Accustomed to spending time in hospital and having been through intense treatment programmes for his cancer he says he was not fazed by the operation.
He speaks of ‘blissful naivety’, which he puts down to age and comments on being grateful the operation happened during his younger years as opposed to later in life. “Children by nature are more resilient,” he says, “I was going into hospital to be ‘fixed’ and I dealt with my situation in a very matter of fact, logical way. I do not think I would have coped with losing a limb so well later in life. The tumour in my arm had caused me so much illness over a number of years and held me back in so many ways, I just concentrated on the benefits of the operation.
“I remember my parents and their friends being amazed with how I dealt with the surgery. In many ways I think it was a more difficult for them.” Gary wore a prosthesis for just one week after his operation, he recalls it feeling uncomfortable and awkward and said he saw little benefit in it. Gary remembers being so exited about being able to play sport and ride a bike for the first time in years. It was not until he began cycling that he began to wear a basic prosthesis. He had been unable to take part in any sport during his treatment for fear of breaking what was a very weak arm.
A five-year period of remission followed the surgery, during which time Gary adjusted to life as an amputee. As his confidence grew he started to take part in more sports and whilst studying Medicine at Liverpool University in 1989 he joined the college cycling team, where he was complimented on his speed and skill on a bike.
Encouraged and motivated by the praise at 21 Gary began to race in both able bodied and disabled events. Initially he experienced some bigotry and in his words ‘small mindedness’ from some riders who believed he would be unsafe, but these attitudes eventually subsided.
Not one to be told he couldn’t do something because of his disability, in Gary’s words this was like ‘red rag to a bull’ and he was determined to prove people wrong.
Today, at 38, Gary holds both national road and time trial titles and is a member of the British Paralympic Cycling Team.
Gary soon realised that wearing arm prosthesis was beneficial when competing and training. He worked closely with the team at his local limb centre in Liverpool in developing a prosthesis that suited him.
Inquisitive and irrepressible by nature, Gary describes the NHS provision as excellent but said he wanted to further develop his prosthesis. He talks of spending hours drafting adaptions to his arm and eventually the prosthetist he was seeing at the time suggested he contact Toby Carlsson at PACE Rehabilitation.
In April of this year Gary travelled to PACE to see Toby Carlsson. He says he was amazed with the expertise that Toby and his team offered him.
“Meeting and working with Toby and his team has been a fantastic experience. Understanding my requirements, the team at PACE have built two highly advanced prostheses for me, one for road and one for track racing. They have been developed over many months and are a combination of my ideas and the team’s skill, commitment and enthusiasm. As a result I now have two unique adjustable sport specific arms that have considerably improved my performance.”
Gary visits PACE regularly and Toby to discuss further improvements and ideas. Commenting Gary said: “You can have all the determination and skill possible but the right equipment is essential, Toby and his team at PACE have provided me with just that.”
Gary’s experience has taught him a lot. Asked if he could offer one piece of advice to anybody in a similar situation he says, “Don’t be intimidated by people, set goals, work at them and you will achieve them, anything really is possible.”