In this episode we talk to former rugby player and charity founder Matt Hampson.

At 21, Matt was a rising rugby star with a glittering future ahead of him. All that changed in March 2005 when a catastrophic training accident ended his career and turned his life upside down.

Now paralysed from the neck down, Matt has to use a ventilator twenty four hours a day, but he doesn't let that stop him living his best life.

We chat to Matt about the accident, learn what made him a 'nightmare child' and find out how Matt pulls the sympathy card to get the last chocolate bar.

In 2011 Matt founded the Matt Hampson Foundation, a charity which gives life-changing support to those with debilitating disabilities. In 2018 the charity opened the Get Busy Living Centre, a rehabilitation clinic where people can access physiotherapy and connect with others who have similar stories.

To find out more and donate to Matt's charity, go to www.matthampsonfoundation.org

Sponsors:

We’d like to thank our sponsors Yamaha for supporting the podcast. To find out more about the Yamaha E700A headphones go to yamahamusiclondon.com/E700A

Matt’s 3am questions:

Favourite Book – Rainbow Warrior by Francois Pienaar

Favourite Film – The Shawshank Redemption

Favourite Song – Live Forever by Oasis

We want to hear from you. If you have a brilliant 'Did You Know?' fact, a question for us, a jingle you’ve written or a voice note you want to share, get in touch. We’ll choose a few messages and include them in the audio version of every podcast. You can tweet us your message using the hashtag #normalnotnormal or email us at [email protected] 

Remember, if you’re sending us a voice note or jingle and you’re under eighteen, please get permission from a parent or guardian.

Follow us on Twitter:

@OliverPhelps     

@James_Phelps

@Hambofoundation

Normal Not Normal is a Stabl production.

Produced by Alice Homewood.

YouTube version edited by Oliver and James Phelps.

Music: 'Not Normal' by Sebastian Forslund, 'Let Go' by Conditional and 'Bobby Swing' by The Bladwerk Band 

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