Wayne Burton, who became wheelchair-bound after a terrible fall at the Exeter races in 2008, has been supported by Oaksey House and the Jockeys Fund for over 10 years.
He claimed that the centre, which has helped nurse hundreds of jockeys back from various injuries, has been imperative to his recovery and helping him stay fit for the future.
“I was offered to live here (at Oaksey House) which was massive for me and for my fitness in particular,” Burton said. “Being able to have one-on-one session here is so important as a wheelchair user because I need some help using the equipment in the gym,
“It’s so great for my morale, we all help each other here. You’re around jockeys all the time, both amateur and professional so it’s great.”
Burton’s recovery has allowed him to excel in a new sport, wheelchair basketball. His love of the game has helped him to remain active, and he now plays regularly for the Thames Valley Kings.
“I love my basketball,” Burton said. “It’s been great for me and I have actually played the Gloucester Blazers before!”
Cheltenham Festival jockey Daryl Jacob has also just recovered using the facilities at Oaksey, after suffering a broken hip at Ascot in December. In a blog post with Sporting Life, he said he “wouldn’t have made it back in time (to race at Cheltenham Festival) if it wasn’t for the team at Oaksey House.”
Jacob will jockey for Nicky Henderson’s Fusil Raffles in the 16:10 Craft Irish Whiskey Co. Plate Handicap Chase tomorrow.
