As the days come closer to what will be my last in Majorca, I am blessed to make the most of the weather and nice roads to clock several more 100km-plus rides.
In many ways I don’t want to step out of this bubble here.
As the notification pings on my phone to remind me it is time to check in for my flight to London it is a reminder of the two lives I live between hospital and being an athlete.
I am fully aware that spending four weeks in Majorca is a dream for many and that I am very blessed to have the opportunity.
But I know I must make riding in London work somehow.
The longer I live with paralysis, I see that striving for a goal is important, but knowing and living in alignment with your values is more important.
I know this is not always straightforward and in a modern world we could argue it is only a small amount of people who can truly do so.
I know I aspire to be one of those people, but I am also aware I have lots to learn on this journey.
As I sat in London writing in my journal of how I plan to ride more when I am here for my medical appointments, I heard my phone ping.
I try not to look at my phone when doing other things, but on this occasion, I felt I needed to look.
It was a post that I guess most of us knew would come, but also did not want to come.
A photo of a larger-than-life smiling Scotsman.
It read “Doddie Weir OBE 1970-2022 – Scotland legend dies after MND battle”.
It only felt like a moment ago that I had sat watching him and his family present the match ball during the Scotland-All Blacks game a few weeks ago.
In what was a heart-breaking moment to watch and at the same time a beautiful tribute to a great man, it would have been hard to find a dry eye in Murrayfield that day.
I remember thinking when I saw Doddie that day on TV how much MND had put his body through.
It was incredible and testament to the man he got into his tartan suit and to the match.
I hope, hearing the crowds that day, he knew how much people admired and loved him for not just what he brought to the game of rugby, but what he has done for MND around the world and ultimately for the character he was.
If we all inspired to live a little like Doddie the world would be a better place.
The impact he had on all our lives over the last five years as he faced MND has been a lesson for us all.
On how to be a good human.
I know I aspire to his values.
It has been clear online as people shared their stories of either playing with Doddie on the pitch, meeting him in a bar, or meeting him over these last years as he worked on making a difference to all who face MND just how many people loved him. The work he started will be a lasting legacy that hopefully one day will help in finding a cure.
As a youngster growing up in Scotland, following the Scotland rugby team was a big part of so many of our lives.
Reading how even after Doddie had left the pitch how much he impacted all the players who followed showed just how much he brought to not just the game, but to Scotland.
I like many have read peoples’ stories this week of how Doddie had impacted them, and I would like to share one from a friend that I read that I feel sums Doddie up perfectly.
In the words of Nathan Hines, “Many of us, when we had the pleasure of meeting Doddie, got to stand physically in his shadow.
“Most of the time he was making jokes at your expense, but you couldn’t help but laugh even if you were the target of his comedy.
“I lived in his rugby shadow. I saw his name every day on the wall at Murrayfield where I would get changed before every international.
“I knew that he put the Scotland jersey in a better place than when he borrowed it and I wished to do the same. A tough act to follow.”
RIP Doddie and know that your work in MND will not stop through the continued work of your foundation.
