To live and survive - that's what an accident teaches you

An accident can change a person's life forever. Not only the daily routine, but also the self-image, our goals and our world are transformed. Interview with Áron Thuróczy.

At the age of 17, Áron Thuróczy faced perhaps the most difficult test of his life: he was paralyzed from the waist down as a result of an accident. Now he told hirado.hu about how his relationship with life and himself changed, and how he inspires thousands of people with his videos.

How did your self-image change as a result of the accident?

Actually, before the accident, I lived my life in such a way that I wanted everything immediately, I had a huge desire for freedom, I was involved in everything. After the accident, however, I had to realize that I had to rethink and change a lot of things. One of the most important things I've learned is to be patient with myself and others.

How difficult was it for you to pull yourself together mentally after the accident?

After the accident, even though the doctors told me that I had a one percent chance of walking again, I simply didn't want to believe it, it didn't dawn on me. I thought that a few months would pass and I would be back on the field as if nothing had happened. I spent a month in the hospital, after which I was transferred to rehabilitation, and that's when I realized that it wasn't going to be a month or two.

It could even be a lifetime, but I never felt like there was no way out of this. I always keep in mind that I have one life, and it doesn't help if I cry at home, so why should I be sad, I'd rather feel good, develop my body and soul, and fight for my goals.

What gave you strength during the time you spent in the hospital and rehabilitation?

My family helped me a lot, I can thank them a lot, they were always by my side. I met several people at the rehabilitation, we struggled together in everyday life and talked a lot. The physiotherapists also performed above their capacity, I started painting, for example, under the influence of one of the specialists. I've always had a fighting spirit, I've never been completely bitter. To this day, I don't know if I will ever be able to stand up, but I will do my best and fight for it every day.

What motivated you to share your story with the world?

I definitely wanted to tell people to take care of themselves, because trouble is everywhere, and even the smallest carelessness can turn into huge trouble. If I can help one person by telling my story, then it's worth it. My friends and I went to the beach at Körös many times, and where we used to jump, the water was always deep. On the day of the accident, however, the police closed that section and sent us to bathe one kilometer away. The depth-marking buoys were also very close to the shore, so I don't even know for what reason, but I was completely convinced that the water was deep there too. After I jumped in, I felt a very strong pain, and then I realized that something was wrong. I struggled with all my strength, but my limbs did not move, I did not reach the surface of the water. I remember the moment when I realized that this was really the end. In my mind, I said goodbye to my loved ones, and afterwards I felt a kind of relief, I knew that the time had come.

The next thing I remember is lying on the beach. My friends found me and pulled me out, resuscitated me, and the ambulance took me to the hospital. Of course, it's hard to remember everything, but I'm sure that knowing that I was only a hair away from death will help me for the rest of my life. I am very lucky to wake up to this day seeing the sun, and my memories also give me strength.

You give strength to many and you are seen as a role model. How does it feel?

Many times even I can't believe it when someone writes to me that they saw my videos and I was able to convey strength and positivity to them. Fortunately, many people write, but somewhere I still can't believe that they are writing to me. It's an indescribably good feeling when I see that I can help people. I think it's one of the best feelings in the world.

If you could message your teenage self, what would you say?

To take out insurance quickly! Joking aside, as I said, as a teenager I wanted everything immediately, I didn't like to wait, I had a huge desire for freedom, but the accident taught me immeasurable patience and the will to fight. I really liked driving, but after the accident, my driver's license was revoked. After the accident, I knew that one day I would drive again, I had to, there is no such thing as not being behind the wheel anymore. After a lot of work, I finally managed to get my license again, and I still drive on a daily basis.

In a year and a half, I drove more than eighty thousand kilometers, in a total of five countries. When I started to learn again, and even now, some people ask me why I drive, but this is probably what gives me the most happiness, I really enjoy driving.

What other plans do you have in the near future?

I would like to continue my studies, maybe computer science. My other plan is sports. Sport has always been important in my life, on the one hand I can thank my physique for surviving the accident, which I can now build on. For example, I can move my hands so well because I do sports every day and I want to continue doing so. I also really like swimming, I have already improved so much that if I were thrown into deep water, I would be able to swim out all by myself.

What do you want people to understand about you?

Perhaps the lesson of my story is that there is something good in every bad thing, and if we find it, we can find happiness. Everyone has their own biggest concern, and that's okay. However, you have to see the good side of life, stick to it, and live everyday like that. Like everyone, I have good days and bad days, but I have my goal in front of my eyes and I work for it every day.

Featured image: Áron Thuróczy/Facebook