Hi my name is Danny Smith I am 47 years old from Cambourne near Cambridge. I live with my partner Kirsty and our two French bulldogs Frankie and Holly. I have two children who I’m immensely proud of, my daughter Regan (19) who is currently studying mental health nursing at Chester university and my son Ashton (15) who is in his last year of secondary school and about to do his GCSE’s.
I became an amputee in May of 2022 (below right knee), but due to infection ended up going back in July of 2022 to be further amputated to go above my right knee. This was massive blow to me as I am normally quite a confident and positive person. But after spending 9 weeks in hospital I managed to start to get back to my old self. But unfortunately that was not to be the end of it, after another several months of battling infections in my left foot it was decided that there was no more they could do for me. This news really knocked me for six, I didn’t think I could carry on and went to a very dark place for a period of time. In July of 2023 I was amputated again (below knee left leg), but it was the best thing as I felt really good as my body wasn’t fighting infection anymore. These amputations were due to my type 1 diabetes and not looking after for a number of years.
My biggest concerns of being an amputee was being a burden to my partner and family, between my partner, kids, family and amazing friends I was slowly able to get back to my old self (which I think some of them regret now). Since the start of this year through the help of family, friends and Steel Bones I’m back to my old self never taking life to serious in one respect but have decided to turn my experience’s into positives and help others. I now volunteer for Steel Bones and volunteer up Addenbrooke’s hospital talking to other amputees.
My passion now is to help others as much as I can possible, I would love to work with younger diabetics and try to warn them about the dangers of diabetes and just raise general awareness about diabetes.
I’m now always thinking about what challenges I can do now instead of what challenges do face me, I think the anyone that knows me will know my sense of humour has got me through all this and I will continue to use laughter as my medicine. This helps by spending time with my mates that have the same sense of humour as me.
I have a massive adventure next year in the pipeline but do not want to say to much about it yet as I don’t want to jinx it, but it will be the biggest challenge I’ve ever done and should raise a few quid for charity.
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