There are a few things in my life that bring instant joy. My daughters lead the charge when it comes to making me happy and giving me reason to love life, though getting a new leg is a feeling like no other.

To be honest I really only believe other leg amps can truly appreciate the joy that comes with getting a great fitting leg. I always look forward with anticipation and if the leg is going to be made for something other than my everyday walking then there is a fair chance the anticipation will be even greater knowing full well when a leg is made for something other than just getting around, it’s game on. It’s built to help me achieve something that I think is important in which case it has a job to do and 1st and foremost is not to hold me back.

This new leg is just that. It’s built to help me have no excuses. The rest is up to me.

I know Professor Leg and the team at APC Prosthetics will send me away with a great fitting leg and from there it’s game on, it’s up to me to put it to the test, to live my life my way and it’s easy to do knowing I have a leg that will not hold me back.

Every time I get a new leg I am reminded how lucky I am to live in this great country, to have some of the best in the business work with me and allow me to have the most amazing quality of life, a life that amputees in some countries would never dream of. To all that have ever had a hand in helping me walk, I say THANKYOU.

I love when I can put my leg to the test and it stands up. This time will be no different.

Don’t wait until you are missing a leg before you appreciate how good it is to walk. Enjoy every step.

Keep smilen.

Cheers

Donnie

The very first time I heard the word Paralympic I was 14 years old. I had no clue what my mates were on about, Donnie they said, ‘you could be a Paralympic swimmer’, a what? was my reply. That was in 1990. Wow did my journey begin after.

I never did become a Paralympic swimmer but I did make it to 3 Paralympic Games competing in athletics in the Pentathlon. Along the way I met some amazing people, (a few bone heads also) but it’s the people that I am still in touch with today that made becoming a Paralympian so special. It’s my life long friends, it’s the understanding of what it’s like to work as part of a team, to be willing to do things that others wont, to challenge yourself and what you believe.

To any person with a disability, I highly recommend you have a look at what the Paralympics are all about, it’s not for everyone, but if you love sport, travel, are willing to work your but off and can see yourself doing something special with your life then being a Paralympian might just be for you.

To every person that has joined the elite ranks of Paralympian I congratulate you, to those that are aspiring to do so, I encourage you to dig that little bit deeper and can assure you that it will be well worth it when the time comes.

Cheers

Donnie

I remember sitting down at Tocumwal in NSW the place I grew up and watching Crocodile Dundee. One line in the movie hit a cord with me, it wasn’t the world famous, That’s not a knife, that’s a knife line, it was the bit where he introduced himself, G’day Mick Dundee from Australia. I loved it and instantly turned to my sister sitting beside me and said, G’day Donnie Elgin from Australia.

I had this amazing desire to introduce myself in another country, for some reason in my head it would mean that I must be doing something pretty special if I was in another country. Fortunately for me I was able to live that dream on many occasions throughout my sporting career.

Though probably my greatest satisfaction was when I was introduced overseas for a speaking engagement. Australian Speaker Don Elgin, at that moment I realised that this was something special. I have loved speaking in the USA and Dubai though I must admit China opened my eyes the most, the people were extremely grateful for my views on life, I think if it wasn’t for the organisers I would be still there having photos taken.

I was delighted to have been invited to speak overseas and every time I do I realise how lucky I am to be able to give a snap shot of our great country and more importantly how happy I am that I call the Lucky country home.

Can’t wait to get back on the plane again to hear that intro ‘Australian Speaker Don Elgin’.

Keep Smiling

Cheers

Donnie

Never thought  my attitude towards life would reflect so clearly my attitude towards sport. Generally speaking I am happy to have a crack at most things in life, though when it comes down to actually doing it sometimes it can be quiet scary. To think that stepping out of my comfort zone could be so easy and exciting has reinforced my desire to live life to the max.

I recently got to a point in my life when I realised that the end of my athletics career was very clear and I had no intentions of ever competing in athletics again, with respect to every athlete and coach that I have come across in my athletics journey, I knew this day would come, I just didn’t love the sport, I loved the benefits and the lesson I got from the sport and the amazing journey that I was on for 14+ years but I can live without athletics. Sport on the other hand is the thing I love. My passion to pursue excellence in athletics had dried up. So I said that’s it. The problem was I didn’t like not having sport in my life, I was getting fat, lazy and missing the competitive challenge that I came to thrive on.

So I found a new sport for me, I am in phase where every time I go out, I learn something new and every time I take a tiny step forward. I have so much to learn but right now I am super excited.

Who would have thought that facing one of our biggest challenges of stepping out of our comfort zone could be so rewarding.

Try something new every day.

Cheers

Don

Ever stop and think what would life be like if things were different?

Being born missing bits I have found myself with that very thought on more than one occasion. Thankfully I have come to a point in life that I don’t spend a lot of time at that crossroad wondering, searching for an answer rather I see what seems like a neon light that reads ‘ It is what it is’ so many times I have questioned life and why it has panned out the way it has and so many times I have found myself saying, no point worrying about something we can’t change.

In a nutshell to be as happy as we want to be is entirely up to us. it is what it is, the only thing we can do now is to deal with what it is..

Don’t sweat the small things, get something out of every day and remember, no one said we can’t enjoy this journey.

It is what it is.

Cheers

Donnie

Watching the AFL Grand Final I was taken back to the early days of my sporting journey, the feeling that it was there, that you had done enough, the feeling of success coming your way, you can taste it, smell it, you can reach out and touch it, that feeling that it’s yours and then the sound of the siren, the sound of reality, the feeling that it’s not yours, your not the victor. Pain is the feeling that rips through your skin and drowns the extacy that was sitting so comfortably only moments ago.

That was my experience when I missed the first Paralympic team I attempted to make in 1992.

The greatest thing about having such high expectations is the fact that when they are reached the feeling far out ways anything else, though should those expectations not be reached, the fall is so great and brings so much hurt that you are left to do only one of two things. you say stuff it, I’m done and you leave it, conceding there is no more. Or you brace yourself for an onslaught of discipline and commitment to the cause like never before. You throw yourself so hard at the task that you become willing to do what ever it takes, you don’t just do it but you thrive on doing it, you start to enjoy the fact that you are the one that is willing and able to do more than any other. 

If the saints  colectivly commit to the task, with a gut full of pain and a new hunger, they will certainly reap the rewards in time.

For the record, after I missed in 1992 I went to the next three Paralympic Games, fourWord Championships and two world cups.  So glad I opted for option two after that early disappointment.

Cheers

Donnie

It never seems to surprise me just how hard people are willing to work in the interest of achieving their goals, the thing I found made the difference when going the extra mile on the track or in the gym was the recovery. There is no doubt in my mind recovery is the key to gaining the edge from training. There are many things athletes will call on to assist their recovery, supplements, massage, sleep and even food. All of them have a vital role to play.

My ideal recovery started straight after the session. Into the ice bath for around one minute and then into a hot tub or spa for two mins. Repeat this three or four times. When using this recovery technique don’t be afraid to mix it up a bit, vary the lengths in both and don’t stress if you are without a bath, bins are fine and the same applies in the shower. The main aim is to  help the body flush the areas of broken down cells after your work out. 

Enjoy your exercise and I hope this helps you get more from your recovery.

Cheers
Donnie

Start or recovery

Anyone close will know that I’m a Hawks footy fan, The Hawks being the Hawthorn Football Club, they play in the Australian Rules Football league.

Having been invited out to speak with the Hawks a couple of years ago, then training with them following my presentation, I have taken a keen interest in their progress, it’s fair to say I was a very very happy camper when the Hawks won the Flag in 2008.

Watching the footy and seeing what was once considered a fair bump now deemed to be worthy of a week on the sidelines has me gob smacked. It makes me wonder why the AFL are so keen on watering down what was once a great game. A good honest contest with men willing to put their bodies on the line for their team, to stand up for the values of the club and respect the legacy of those that have gone before them.

It’s fair to believe if you play a full contact sport, there is every chance there is going to be contact! All the players choose to play the game, surely it is their right play another sport if this one is a little rough..

Till we bump again.

Cheers

Donnie

Donnie training with Hawks

Recently had a chance to speak to Year 10 students from Sandringham College, spending some time with these guys was great and the questions that followed my presentation clearly showed their interest in my story. I am  always grateful when people join me after a presentation to ask questions and to share their thoughts.  

Apart from seeing such a positive outlook on the faces in the audience what I enjoyed the most from the night is getting to see a few of them put their talents on show. Hearing the guys sing really got me thinking of how brilliant it would be to be a rock star, to have fans of your music sing with you word for word. I think that would be awesome. One thing I am very sure about is when it comes to musicical ability, I made a pretty good athlete.

Keep Smilen

Donnie

Hello and welcome to my blog, I look forward to providing updates, particuarly keen to share with you thoughts and feedback from people I have come into contact with through my travel and recent engagements.