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You don't get paid for the hour. You get paid for the value you bring to the hour.

Jim Rohn

LIVING LIFE

By Toby Mildon

Now in his late twenties, Toby was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) a neuromuscular condition that affects his overall body strength and prevents him from walking. He needs around the clock care. However, despite spending his whole life in a wheelchair it hasn't stopped him from leading an active and fulfilling life. But he almost didn't live to fulfill many of his life's ambitions as he was struck by critical illness and spent three months in a coma and on life support. Here's his personal story.

As Project Manager for the BBC I work on Future Media projects and Chair BBC Ability (disabled staff forum). I am a Personal Performance Coach to media executives and have published a self-help book. I've enjoyed successful careers as Engagement Leader for Cerner in the world’s largest healthcare IT program and Consultant at Accenture for global Communications and High Tech clients. I also worked for British Airways as an Account Executive and LloydsTSB as young as 15.

I went to University of Derby and achieved a 2:1 in a Marketing Management degree and got Distinction in an Advanced GNVQ in Business after school. I moved to London to pursue my career aspirations, own my own apartment and have a team of live in Personal Care Assistants (PA) 24/7.

I've always strived to be a high achiever and leave a legacy. March 2010 was no exception - focused on my BBC career, building my coaching portfolio, chairing a national disability charity (JTSMA), producing a pilot for a new business entertainment TV show and more.  Christmas 2009 was 'planning time', to decide what I wanted to achieve in 2010. So I produced a Mind Map outlining my goals. I lived by Stephen Covey's principal of Begin with the End in Mind.

Whilst proceeding with vigor I developed a chest infection. After my second course of antibiotics I became dehydrated. I go to A&E, had X-Rays and blood tests and the doctor admits me with a severe chest infection. One morning I'm found having a seizure and fighting for air. The doctors and nurses rushed to my bed and brought me around again.

My chest infection got worse and I was suffocating and couldn't breathe. I went into a coma and was put on life support to keep me alive - I lay in intensive care unconscious for two months. I developed multiple organ failure - my kidneys, liver and stomach stopped working and I was on dialysis.  An MRI scan revealed a bleed on my brain. A nasal gastric (NG) tube fed me nutrients and I had a tracheotomy in my neck. I had thirty tubes, bags and bottles connected to my body in all.

My Mum who had practically moved to London to be at my bedside went away a weekend break, however, soon after, the doctor summoned her, as they didn't think I'd make it through the night. They turned off my life support. In spite of this, I stabilized and two months passed before I woke from my coma.

As I opened my eyes I was really confused. I thought I was 100 years old, that the BBC had fired me and the physios were out to kill me. At first I couldn't talk. I used my eyebrows to say “Yes” (raising them) or “No” (a frown).  I asked the doctor whether I almost died and he honestly replied "yes, you almost did and you're lucky to be alive".

My whole world had shattered. Not a lot made sense. I didn't care that my hair was falling out from the medication. When I first sat in my wheelchair my arms were so weak I just drove in circles. My first time outside ICU was to the tropical fish tank with a tranche of nurses, tubes and equipment. I stared mesmerized at the fish.

I realized at this moment that what I appreciated in life had shifted if fish spellbound me. An OT visited daily to exercise my arms and hands to get them working again. I couldn't hold a pen or operate my iPhone. To this day I still can't feed myself or drive my adapted vehicle.

As soon as I had a Fluoroscopy to see whether I had the strength to swallow food my Speech Therapist and Dietician put me onto a puree diet. The first food I eat in over two months was pureed salmon and broccoli and mashed potato. I chuckled that the chef had shaped the pureed salmon into the shape of a fish.

No matter how much physio and suctioning I had I just couldn't clear my chest. I was exhausted, depressed and desperate to go home. I wanted to get back to 'normal' rather too quickly and so I arranged a phased return to work. I installed speech recognition software on my laptop and Access to Work funding for transport. Returning to work gave me structure and some purpose again. However, I struggled physically and emotionally. But I stuck at it.

Although I'm missing three months of 2010, this whole experience has had a profound impact on my life. It was a turning point in how I live life.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Toby Mildon works for the BBC in London but also help media professionals through his practice (MildonMedia.com) to make life work for them rather than against them. He uses his corporate and media background as well as his experience of facing challenges due to disability. You can reach Toby attoby.mildon@gmail.com

Think.....

Feeling sorry for yourself, and your present condition, is not only a waste of energy but the worst habit you could possibly have.

~Dale Carnegie 

Think About....

"A person cannot cling to anything unless she believes in it; belief always precedes action, therefore a person's deeds and life are the fruits of her belief."

 - Above Life's Turmoil

My “Secret Millionaire” Story

By Jeff Usner

Ever feel beat up and down and out? That was me not too long ago. It was only a few years ago, I was at the greatest point of despair in my life. I was drowning in close to $300,000 in debt, struggling in my business, working long, endless hours away from my family, I lost my son James. I even had a stroke and almost died. I was terrified and stressed out how I would put food on the table for my family.

Yet, here I am today, a multi millionaire, and set to give away $100,000’s on ABC’s Secret Millionaire, airing this Sunday, July 15 7/8 et.

How does this happen and why would I go on a national TV show?

An act of God is my first answer.

After that, I finally figured out a simple system to make money on the Internet. I used that to become debt free within 8 months, and within 18 months a millionaire.

When ABC first approached me about being on the show, I was very hesitant about the opportunity. In fact, at one point in the interviewing process, I turned them down, only to get a phone call a few weeks later telling me they really wanted my story on their network.

I didn’t want to go on the show because I like to live my life "under the radar". I live a very simple life, and most of my family and friends don’t even know how well we do financially. So to open up and expose my entire family, not just to friends, but to millions of people on national TV… well, there’s an element of uncertainty that comes with putting your face and story out there.

But, I decided to do it anyway. Why?

I know many people are hurting right now in our country. I know there are many people who are where I was, or even worse. And, these people often wonder…

Can it get any better? How will I find a way out? Is there hope?

So I shared our story on TV to inspire people to keep going. To breakthrough. To keep pushing forward. To keep believing.

Even if you are on the mat, feeling like you are taking a beating, there are better times coming. Focus on the good things in front of you. Speak life over them. Life and death are in the power of the tongue, so use your words wisely.

Tune into the show. Let it inspire you. Learn from the amazing heroes on the show. I served three amazing organizations during that week. Each is making a huge difference. Each has been down and out. Each is helping people "get back up and fight."

Be a part of it. Don’t only watch it. Share it with friends. Share this story. They will thank you and you will make a difference.

Jeff Usner

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
To learn more about Jeff and to learn how he did it. Go get his new book, “Internet Millionaire, Your Blueprint to Succeed”, for free. In this book Jeff outlines everything he did to from despair and struggles to earning millions and appearing on ABC’s Secret Millionaire: Get the Book free:www.JeffsFreeBook.com

Think About.....

Champions aren't made in the gyms.      

Champions are made from something they have deep inside them - a desire, a dream, a vision

Muhammad Ali

A couple's love for each other.......

I just want to share a very interesting story....

A very poor man lived with his wife. One day, his wife, who had very long hair asked him to buy her a comb for her hair to grow well and to be well-groomed. The man felt very sorry and said no.

He explained that he did not even have enough money to fix the strap of his watch he had just broken. She did not insist on her request.


The man went to work and passed by a watch shop, sold his damaged watch at a low price and went to buy a comb for his wife.


He came home in the evening with the comb in his hand ready to give to his wife. He was surprised when he saw his wife with a very short hair cut. She had sold her hair and was holding a new watch band. Tears flowed simultaneously from their eyes, not for the futility of their actions, but for the reciprocity of their love.

MORAL: To love is nothing, to be loved is something but to love and to be loved by the one you love, that is EVERYTHING. Never take love for granted.:)