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Connor Bayes’ personal trainer has made a public appeal for a physiotherapist to support his recovery.
Ben Honour worked with Connor for a year, before an accident left Connor paralysed from the chest down. With Ben due to move away from the island next month, he is keen to find someone to continue supporting his 23-year-old client.
In speaking with Ben, he was apprehensive to highlight his own part in Connor's journey, instead it was clear that his motivation in making the appeal was solely to find appropriate support to allow his client to continue making progress.
“Connor has always been one of my favourite clients because of how exceptionally hardworking, committed, dedicated and willing to learn he is,” said Ben.
Pictured: Connor returned to the island earlier this month after a year in the UK in recovery from his accident. He is pictured with his mum, Kay.
Ben continued: “I have only been able to spend one week with Connor since he returned to the island, but his progression in that time was unbelievable; he’s amazing.
“He has a gym set up at the family home and we did daily workouts going through the exercises he was doing at the rehabilitation centre in the UK. We were a bit limited in terms of the equipment available compared to where he was in the UK, but we did a lot of bicep, forearm, chest, back and shoulder work. In just a short time, Connor’s pronation and supernation in his wrist improved.”
Ben believes there is “no limit” to what Connor could achieve if someone is able to support him.
“The short amount of time I’ve been able to spend with Connor, not only has he shown how much progress he can, and will, make but it also shows how incredibly determined he is,” said Ben.
Pictured: Personal Trainer, Ben Honour, hopes a "retired or part-time" physiotherapist will come forward to support Connor after Ben leaves the island.
Ben continued: “I’m definitely impressed with the progress Connor has made, but I’m not surprised because it's Connor. In the year that he was in the UK after his accident, I Facetimed with Connor a couple of times and it was so clear in those conversations that his mindset is so determined and optimisc. He’s also a realist and will work as hard as he can to achieve all he possibly can.”
Ben said that he had been inspired by Connor. “Personally, Connor’s journey has taught me a lot about resilience and how important mindset is. It is unbelievably important to have a disciplined mindset. Connor’s perspective is inspiring for me to see and, I’m sure, will be inspiring to a lot of other people,” he said.
Ben said that Connor needs “as much time in the gym as possible”.
“It’s so important for Connor to be able to continue his work; there’s no saying how far he will progress if he’s able to continue down this path,” he said.
Pictured: Connors received physiotherapy, occupational therapy and hydrotherapy treatments in the UK and is determined to continue his progress locally.
Ben continued: “Connor's determination and discipline is absolutely through the roof. It’s not a matter of how much time Connor will put in, but how much time someone will be able to give him. It’s more likely that someone would need to tell him to do less than say he needs to be doing more.
“A couple of people I have spoken to have said they are willing to do some work with him. If there any retired or part-time physios who would be able to work with Connor, then the impact for him would be incredible.
“With the right support, Connor is going to be able to go as far as his mindset will take him, and you’re not going to find anyone with a better mindset than Connor.”
Anyone interested in working with Connor is asked to contact Ben Honour at benhonourfit@gmail.com
Pictured: Ben said that Connor is "exceptionally hard working, committed, dedicated and willing to learn".
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