Message From Howard Cook December 6th 2009
Page last updated on Monday, 11-Jan-2010
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I'd had a great 2009 year displaying the Historic Aircraft Collection Hawker Nimrod and Hurricane. I was in Canada flying the Vintage Wings Harvard and P40 Kittyhawk and just before I was due to leave to go home to the UK it is their Tiger Moth that nearly kills me! My back, right ankle, a number of ribs and my left hand were all broken and I had 32 stitches in my face. My thanks to the crew that rescued me from the aeroplane at Gatineau - I owe you lots of beer. I was in hospital for a month in Canada and I would like to thank Ottawa Civic Hospital and Mr. Johnson and his team for my great surgery and the many nurses for my care. Since returning to the UK I have had great care at Addenbrookes and from the Mount Farm NHS District Nursing team at home in Bury St. Edmunds.
It has been a difficult time and a hard recovery that to me seems to have taken an age - but in real terms is a short time, just over 3 months to date. It could have been much worse of course. I want to express my thanks for the hundreds - and hundreds - of e mails, cards and messages wishing me well in my recovery, from display pilots and teams from all over the world; Canada, UK, USA, Australia, Germany, New Zealand, etc, veterans, museum volunteers, airshow regulars, US Air Force, RCAF Snowbirds, Spitfire Society, Imperial War Museum etc. So so many.
Above all my wife Peta has been the most incredible support as always. It has not been the best way to mark our 25th wedding anniversary (November this year) but we are still together when things could have been so much worse.
Just over 3 weeks ago I was in my back bracing armour plate and although I could hop in a zimmer frame I was not able to walk and also had to use a wheelchair. I am now out of the wheelchair, out of my armour plate,and walking. Three months after the crash I walked in to the Historic Aircraft Association Symposium at the RAF Museum (November 15th) and also that week into Duxford. It has been wonderful to see the mouth-open reaction when I am seen walking in on my feet without a stick. My Consultants have advised that they see "no problem for my return to flying in the near future" but I am giving myself three months in the gym to get some of my former fitness back. I have wanted to fly since my breathing tube was taken out in Intensive Care. My fitness at the time of the crash helped me greatly in the recovery.
To quote Tennyson
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
I am looking forward to flying the Historic Aircraft Collection Hawker Nimrod II - and what will be the World's only Hawker Fury - in the 2010 air display season.
Peta and I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a safe and successful 2010 - and blue skies a-plenty..
And from the Spitfire Society Management Team:- "We are delighted to receive this message from Howard and to help pass it on to all of his friends. But, and typically of him, he makes no mention of the work he has been doing for this Society during his early recovery period in getting our 2010 Annual General Meeting details arranged for it to be held at Duxford next April".
