



How many times have you refused help when it’s been offered, or, not asked for help when you have needed it? We have all said “No, thanks, I can manage” because we have been too proud or too independent.

In some cases, when we say “I’m ok thanks” it is just a habit but in most cases it is because we are too proud to accept that a little help may be useful. I hold my hands up and willingly admit I have done this 1000’s of times. Mostly the incidences are inconsequential and are not given a second thought.

However, It has recently hit me like a bolt of lightening how much of a hypocrite I am!

Lots of people have different challenges, whether it’s mental health issues, cancer or physical disabilities. I have cerebral palsy. It affects my movement.

If, on the 2 July 1968 in Scunthorpe General Hospital, the registrar had not been too proud to contact the consultant and ask for help I may well have not been starved of oxygen those vital moments before birth. It is this lack of oxygen that caused my cerebral palsy.

I will never know if that registrar had been told by the Consultant not to disturb him, whether he just thought he could manage by himself or whether he didn't want to admit he wasn't sure what to do. I will never know if he ever realised what an impact the decision he took that night has had on my life and that of my family. I can only hope he learnt from that experience.

We all make many decisions throughout our lives – Some good some not so good but I wonder if we ever truly understand the impact of our decisions on other people’s lives.

Life is what you make it. I truly believe that. I enjoy my life and, like others, I have highs and lows, good days and not so good days and I laugh a lot.

I have a fantastic life. I have a career I enjoy. I work hard and I love running my own business identifying what motivates teams and individuals and enabling people to shine. I have travelled to some amazing places and seen fabulous sights. Much more importantly I have the best family and friends anyone can ask for.

But if only someone had not been too proud to ask for help the night I was born life might have been made just a little easier.

So next time you are about to struggle with something or refuse the offer of help just think about it first. What will be the impact of making that decision?

The decision could have consequences you would never have considered.

Have you had an experience where having the strength to ask for help changed your life?