Riding high after accident

Heather Chapman was left in a wheelchair after a riding accident and wondered what the future held, but social media showed the way. Catherine Scott reports.
Heather ChapmanHeather Chapman
Heather Chapman

It is two years since Heather Chapman was seriously injured after jumping from her horse, Heathcliffe.

The accident left her needing a wheelchair and forced her to step aside from the successful business she ran with her husband John.

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The couple run Training Ventures Ltd, based at Aizlewood Mill, giving hands-on First Aid and health and safety courses, but Heather had to stop training after the accident. She also had to give up her love of skiing.

“I have always loved horses and when John bought me Heathcliffe, in 2009, for our wedding anniversary, it was a dream come true.

“I had riding lessons as a girl and worked in stud stables and yards. I always dreamed of owning a horse.”
But in August 2011 she fell from Heathcliffe.

“I had dressed him up as a Morris dancer, for a fancy dress competition at a local show.

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“So I can hardly blame him for getting a little upset and galloping at a group of small children.

“I decided to get off and he’d then stop, which he did.

“My landing wasn’t so graceful.

“I suffered a concussion and a few months later, became dizzy, lost balance and coordination and eventually ended up not being able to walk. I ended up in a wheelchair, thinking ‘what can I do next?’”

Heather says she can get around “in a fashion” using furniture and walls, but she cannot stand independently and finds it more practical to use a wheelchair. But what bothered Heather more was what she was going to do.

She started looking after the social media for the business.

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“As I got more involved with Twitter, I started getting more and more business through Twitter. Followers were enjoying the pictures and stories we told.

“I started thinking of other companies that don’t have the luxury of having someone who dedicates their time to social media. Small one-man bands desparate to be in 15 places at once tear their hair out at the thought of adding Twitter to the ‘to do’ list.”
And so she launched a new business – No Eggs for Heads: The Twitter Sitter Service.”

It is also a business that Heather can run from her wheelchair.

Business may be doing well – she was awarded Business Person of the Year by Network South Yorkshire last year – but what of her health?

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“My doctors have starting saying I might be able to walk again. I have been told that I will need to relearn to walk, but I’ll need physiotherapy and time.

“I am already doing that 
and it will be marvellous to be able to walk again.

“Without walking, life becomes so much harder in all aspects.”

Heather is a very positive person and doesn’t let much get her down.

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She has recently become a grandma and has also had her very long hair cut.

“It was down to my waist and got in the way when I am in the chair. I want to donate that hair to cancer patients.”

Despite her accident, she still likes to ride Heathcliffe

“It wasn’t his fault,” she says.

“I like to ride him every week. He’s a gentle horse and has adapted to me very well.”

Making Twitter work for you

Heather Chapman, the Twitter Sitter, has some top tips for getting the most out of Twitter.

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Know who it is you want to tweet to, then write for the reader, not for yourself.

Keep it short – 71-100 characters so it can be retweeted.

It you get abusive tweets from Twitter Trolls ignore them. These people feed on interaction and will often up the ante until they get a reaction.

Blocking works as it removes that person from your timeline.

Persistant abuse should be reported to Twitter.

Twitter @NoEggsforHeads

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