Shaun Whiter is a footballer. In 2016 he was involved in a
car accident and lost both his legs, which had to be amputated.
Shaun says when the accident first happened, he was very
emotional, thinking, “Why me? What am I going to do with my life now?” When he
went home his friends rallied round and helped him to adjust his home.
Shaun was told he would never walk or swim again, but he
said he wasn’t going to accept that. Two years later, Shaun went for his first
run which he says felt incredible. In 2021 he ran the London Marathon on
blades, raising money for charity.
Shaun says he used to feel angry about what happened, but
now he says, “It’s a waste of energy and I try my best to stay positive.”
Shaun is getting married in May this year and he and his
partner have two sons. He says he couldn’t be happier. Today he tours football
clubs and gives talks about dangerous driving to try and keep young people
safe.
“There have been so many positives that have come out of
what happened to me, I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m trying my best to make
something good come out of it all. I can definitely say my life is better now
than it ever was before.”
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When you first look at the picture of Shaun,
what words would you use to describe him?
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Shaun says his house had to be ‘adapted’ – what
does that mean? What needed to be done when he returned from hospital?
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Why was Shaun emotional at first, why didn’t he
accept what people told him?
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Shaun ran on blades what are blades? What do you think it’s like
to run on these?
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What kind of person do you need to be to run on
blades?
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Why does Shaun say anger is a waste of energy?
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Why does Shaun talk to young people about
dangerous driving today? Wat is an example of dangerous driving?
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“I wouldn’t change a thing” why does Shaun say
this?
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What can we learn from Sean?
Why is this about No Outsiders?
No Outsiders: We belong here by Andrew Moffat
