In this episode of Resilience Unravelled, Tom Shaw, a British-born resident of Kansas City, shares his life story, including his paralysis at 16 due to a car accident and his subsequent resilience and determination to overcome challenges. He also discusses his battle with addiction and trauma and his future plans to spread a message of hope and positivity through podcasts and public speaking.

• Main topics
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• The challenges he faced during his rehabilitation, including the initial shock and fear of being paralysed
• His resilience and determination to overcome his trauma, drawing on his experience as an athlete
• How he regained the use of his left leg about five years later and now has partial use of his right leg
• His gratitude for his three grown children, whom he was told he would never have due to his injury
• The importance of maintaining a positive mindset and resilience in the face of challenges
• Why small victories should be celebrated, especially during times of trauma.
• The usefulness of humour in coping with difficult situations
• The importance of seeking medical help during detox and the challenges of addiction
• The alarming in suicide rates and other concerning trends in society, emphasising the need for a more positive outlook.

In 1985 when Tom Shaw was 16 years old, a car accident left him paralysed from the waist down. Since then, he has gained 100% use of his left leg and 50% of his right. He feels his mindset and attitude is one the strongest reasons for his success in overcoming the results of his accident. In 2018, he also detoxed from a 33 year opioid addiction and in 2018 write his book "The Ride to Victory: Surviving Trauma and Addiction".

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