WATCH: Darren goes against all odds
The 29-year-old Bluff resident is lucky to be alive after a 14.7 fall and was proud to have competed in the nationals for bowling.
PROVING that you can do anything you put your mind to, differently-abled Darren Jeffrey Conolly, who was left with a 10% chance of survival after a freak accident, was proud to have made it as a newbie when he competed in the Disabled National Bowling Tournament.
The Wentworth Bowling Club member described his journey as an exciting one.
The 29-year-old Bluff resident is lucky to be alive after a 14.7m fall out of a pine tree while he was retrieving a flag when he was an engineering student at university in 2013 and although he narrowly missed falling into a concrete boundary wall, he still suffered extensive injuries.
ALSO READ: Join Wentworth Bowling Club’s weekend practice session to polish up on your bowling skills
“I shattered the right collarbone, broke all the right ribs, broke the sternum, which I’m told is the most difficult bone to break and punctured the right lung on impact. The left lung was also punctured while CPR was being administered. My recovery rate was really slow.
“I had to learn to walk and talk again. I am thankful to be alive and finding bowls was a great way for me to get outdoors and play sport,” said Darren.
With bowls helping to calm him and push him physically in a gentle way, Darren said he encourages others who have disabilities to try out bowls.
WATCH:Â https://youtu.be/4S8-hPEd_kQ
“Competing in the SA Disabled Bowls Tournament was an eye-opener as I was able to see others with different disabilities on the greens. It was a great way for us to be able to still be included in the competitive arena.
“We don’t get to see this kind of competitiveness in our own clubs or communities. It was indeed inspirational,” said Darren.
DID YOU KNOW?Â
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics. To receive news links via WhatsApp or Telegram, send an invite to 084 418 2286.
The Southlands Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – why not join us there?
Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
(Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Sun)
