Claire Lomas is a passionate campaigner and fundraiser, who after falling victim to a horse-riding accident was left with life changing injuries. Despite such adversity, Claire completed the London Marathon using the ReWalk robotic suit in 2012.
focus magazine, courtesy of The Motivational Speakers Agency, had the pleasure of interviewing Claire, to learn how she manages extreme change, why technology is important for the disabled community and what advice she would give her younger self.
Your horse-riding accident turned your life upside down; looking back on it now, how did you manage such extreme change?
“It was really hard; it was the tiniest mistake that totally turned by life upside down. I had goals and dreams set for the future, and then suddenly it was like starting from scratch.
“I had to fight through those days, and it wasn’t without feeling sorry for myself and being angry and sad of everything I had lost. But over time I managed to change that round really, and it was because I started to think of what I could do and take small opportunities.
“Everyone thinks they were my biggest challenges, but actually, it is nothing compared to just getting out of bed when I had no reason to get up, that was a lot harder.
“I was doing it by setting myself… small goals to start with, that wouldn’t seem like anything to most people, but in those early days they were huge things to me.”
Having used a robotic walking aid to complete the London Marathon, how important is technology and innovation for the disabled community?
“It’s hugely important if you think back a few decades ago, it wouldn’t be possible to do what I do now.
“For example on my microlight you usually have to use your legs, whereas I’ve got hand controls, and the same for my motorbike.
“The robotic suit is amazing technology, and I wouldn’t have done all this fundraising without it, and it’s led onto different things. As a bit of equipment for using in the house, you cannot beat it really because your hands are free and you can move around, and it’s quick.
“So as a rehab tool, it is brilliant. Things have improved so much over the years.”
What do you hope people take away from your story?
“I think when I share my story with people, one of the messages is that tough times don’t define us or don’t have to define us, but they can redefine us.
“My life is totally different now than before my accident, but it has one thing in common – I’m busy again with new things!
“So, even when we face things that totally turn our lives upside down, we can get through them with the right mindset.”
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
“I think I’d say, ‘we’re going to face hard times, but make an effort, not an excuse’. We often find excuses for everything: ‘I can’t do this’, ‘I can’t do that’.
“Focus on what you can do and get out there, because if you do that, it will lead to another thing and then something else.
“And that’s how my life has gone, really. If I kept thinking about the things I couldn’t do, then this wouldn’t be the case. Now, I’m still paralysed, but there’s one thing that’s totally different…
“It’s my mindset. When my mindset changed, that’s when my life started to get better again.”
This exclusive interview with Claire Lomas was conducted by Megan Lupton.
