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Meet Amadeu...

Just five years after moving to Northern Ireland for work, Portuguese-born Amadeu Coimbra's life was turned upside down when he was seriously injured in a catastrophic accident in 2004.

Then aged 41, Amadeu was left paralysed from the waist down and with sight loss in his left eye after the car in which he was a passenger crashed, killing the driver.

Despite having to adjust to life in a wheelchair, Amadeu, who lives in Portadown, is most definitely a 'glass half-full' person.

"Probably the first year was the hardest," he says. "Your life changes. It's totally different but you get used to it."

Key to his positive mindset is keeping active and being able to get out and about.

He has been a DART service user for many years and twice a week attends activity classes at South Lake Leisure Centre, enjoying sports such as boccia and his favourite - archery.

"I love it. You socialise and meet different people, and I have made good friends," he says. "At the start I had carers at home but now I can look after myself.

"I do my own shopping and cooking and I have a scooter which lets me get out and be independent."

Having access to DART's wheelchair-accessible transport has been a lifeline for Amadeu, enabling him to lead as full a life as possible.

As well as social and sporting activities, the service also means he can attend his all-important hospital appointments.

"The DART service is excellent. I give it five stars," Amadeu smiles.

The 61-year-old is happily settled in his adopted country and has never been tempted to return to Portugal.

"I don't like warm weather so it's perfect here for me. I prefer the people too - they are friendlier - and I have a lot of friends," he explains.

 "It's also a lot easier to get around in a wheelchair here than it is in Lisbon.

"I'm definitely a positive person. We are not here for long so you have to enjoy your life while you can." Written by Mairead Holland



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