Matt Hampson

In this episode we talk to former rugby player and charity founder Matt Hampson. At 21, Matt was a rising rugby star with a glittering future ahead of him. All that changed in March 2005 when a catastrophic training accident ended his career and turned his life upside down. Now paralysed from the neck down, Matt has to use a ventilator twenty four hours a day, but he doesn't let that stop him living his best life. We chat to Matt about the accident, learn what made him a 'nightmare child' and find out how Matt pulls the sympathy card to get the last chocolate bar. In 2011 Matt founded the Matt Hampson Foundation, a charity which gives life-changing support to those with debilitating disabilities. In 2018 the charity opened the Get Busy Living Centre, a rehabilitation clinic where people can access physiotherapy and connect with others who have similar stories. To find out more and donate to Matt's charity, go to www.matthampsonfoundation.org Sponsors: We’d like to thank our sponsors Yamaha for supporting the podcast. To find out more about the Yamaha E700A headphones go to yamahamusiclondon.com/E700A     Matt’s 3am questions: Favourite Book – Rainbow Warrior by Francois Pienaar Favourite Film – The Shawshank Redemption Favourite Song – Live Forever by Oasis     We want to hear from you. If you have a brilliant 'Did You Know?' fact, a question for us, a jingle you’ve written or a voice note you want to share, get in touch. We’ll choose a few messages and include them in the audio version of every podcast. You can tweet us your message using the hashtag #normalnotnormal or email us at [email protected]    Remember, if you’re sending us a voice note or jingle and you’re under eighteen, please get permission from a parent or guardian.     Follow us on Twitter: @OliverPhelps      @James_Phelps @Hambofoundation     Normal Not Normal is a Stabl production. Produced by Alice Homewood. YouTube version edited by Oliver and James Phelps. Music: 'Not Normal' by Sebastian Forslund, 'Let Go' by Conditional and 'Bobby Swing' by The Bladwerk Band  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices