Ian Winson: How I lost my legs and found freedom transcript


Released 30/09/2020

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Opens with Ian floating in a pool.

Transcript

Ian - "The feeling in the water is a feeling of freedom. You don't have to worry about walking, you don't have to worry about anything else other than being in the water."

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Ian swimming down a lane, scene then changes back to him floating in a pool

Transcript

Ian - "It's lovely. It's soothing and, it's just...it's my happy place. And once I'm in the water I'm just like everybody else, you know. You know, I'm safe.

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Ian swimming down a lane from a different perspective. Ian now rests by the side of the pool. Words appear onscreen - 'Ian Winson, Para athlete'

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Ian - "I am the father of two boys and a husband to katherine. 

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Ian is working out on a hand bicycle machine

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Ian - "I am an athlete. A Para athlete."

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Ian is talking to a swimmer in a pool and imitating swimming techniques.

Transcript

Ian - "A swim teacher...a swim coach. A regular guy that was just unfortunately in the wrong place at the wrong time that's all."

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Ian is sitting in his wheelchair. Text comes onscreen - 'In 2011 Ian was caught in a gas explosion. 

Ian talking to an interviewer off-camera.

Transcript

Ian - "We were inspecting a pipe and there was an explosion about 500 meters from us. And so we got caught in the blast. I was picked up and thrown about 70 meters through a whole lot of construction stuff. The only thing that I actually clearly remember is the fireman who actually came and actually rescued me. I just have a vision of him in my face saying "I'll get you out".

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Ian floating and looking directly up at the camera. Words appear: 'Ian lost both legs in the accident. He also suffered a traumatic brain injury, fractures and other injuries.' 

Ian talking to an interviewer off-camera.

Transcript

Ian - "So the accident has a huge impact on the people that are closest to you..."

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Ian is making coffee with his family.

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Ian - "...and the mental anguish and the emotional strain on the family is absolutely huge. And I firmly believe that Katherine and the boys have gone through more emotional upheaval than I have."

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Ian puts a jacket on his dog.

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Ian - "The supporting role of the family has been major."

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Ian and his wife Katherine are looking through a family album.

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Ian - "Katherine has been the cornerstone of everything. There's been plenty of times when I think both Katherine and I have thought 'What are we doing? It's just too hard'. 

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Ian talking to an interviewer slightly off camera. 

Transcript

Ian - "People just...a lot of people just don't realise that they have this body and they just don't use it. And it's just...they abuse their whole engine."

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Ian floating and looking directly up at the camera.

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Ian - "And they just...they just don't realise that in a split second it can be taken away."

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Ian preparing his prosthetic legs in his home. 

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Ian - "There's a lot of dads out there that do go for runs with their children and there's a lot of dads that don't.

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A photo album is being looked through.

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Ian - "I wanted to be one of those dads that did. It's those times that I wish that this accident never happened. 

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Ian looking directly at the camera and words come on screen 'Early in his recovery, Ian got involved with Para sport to help with his rehab.

Underwater shot of Ian swimming laps and diving.

Transcript

Ian - "Para sports has become quite a big part of my life. To all of a sudden get in the water and you can't swim is quite frightening."

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Close up on Ian's face

Transcript

Ian - "So that's been a massive achievement is actually learning to swim again. The biggest piece of advice to anybody that's going through trauma or having a bad time..."

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Ian working out in a gym

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Ian - "... is physical exercise is a stimuli to make you feel good about yourself. It has actually saved me."

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Ian looking directly at the camera in a variety of scenes.

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Ian - "My purpose is just to try and make sure that the children that we brought into the world are rounded and balanced. And Katherine is happy. Having...most people have a purpose in life. Having a sense of purpose in life...You've got to have a purpose in life. 

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Scene fades to black. White text appears on-screen: "Over the last year, we supported 5,585 people in Aotearoa with serious injuries. And we invested in injury prevention programmes to help people stay safe."

"Prevention. Care. Recovery."

"Give Para sport a go - at any level."

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