biography

Hi, thanks for dropping in - as I said , I'm Steve and would like to welcome you all to my "liddle ol' site"

My apologies if any of the links don't work at the moment - I am updating the site and these things take time

for the index of all pages and sub pages, click here

Make my day, punk!!

This is about the last photo of me standing (and in case you are worried about the gun, it's a laser "shotgun" used to fire at reflective clay pigeons)

I am 55 (6 January) and at the time of the crash I lived about 10 miles from Gloucester, England in a small village called Longhope. The cottage I lived in with my family is on a hill and overlooks the Forest of Dean. for photographs and maps, click here. Unfortunately the cottage was not wheelchair-friendly and I moved first to Westward Ho! and then to Ancaster in Lincolnshire to be back near family again. Then on 12th January 2005 we moved to a nice bungalow in Hougham, just down the road where we hope to stay now.

Car Crash

In February 1996 I was involved in a car crash and shattered both my legs. If you wish to read about the crash, and see pictures of the road where it happened, click here for details of the car crash and pictures of the car . Also linked are transcripts from the trial where the other driver was found guilty of careless driving.

Medical Treatment

If you want read about my subsequent treatment and see pictures of the Ilizarov frame and other leg, then click here for my medical details This all ended in January 1999 with the amputation of my left leg above the knee. But in March 2000, I was diagnosed with Diabetes, which was probably aggrevated by the crash, the trauma and the infection.

Civil Law Suit Progress

I also intend to air my views on the civil legal process in the UK where it will take years for my claim to be settled, even though the other driver was found guilty in criminal court of careless driving. Any comments and words of help would be appreciated from people the world over in a similar situation. The other side have made an offer, which on the advice of council has been accepted, that if I accept 25% of the blame for the crash, we don't have to go to court to decide liability - marvellous system, isn't it? The court date has been set for 5 - 9 March 2001 - although this screwed up twice - the Court lost the papers and therefore the date and then they wanted to move it to Winchester at 2 days notice!!!! We settled out of court 6 March for a smaller amount because of the stress on my heart - Once I have settled down I will detail what I think of the lawyers, courts and insurance companies.

The Spice Girls, yes, that's right - they get everywhere, don't they?

When I was recovering from the crash, the Spice Girls were just hitting the scene and I latched onto the energy, vitality, beauty and good music which helped me recover in hospital and when I came out. My wife, family, mother and colleagues all think that I'm very sad but quite frankly I don't care. They helped me when I needed help, still help me, and will help me in the future to get over my Post Traumatic Stress caused by the crash. (I just wish they would reply to some of the letters I send them, even a signed photo would be nice!!!! hint hint if anyone connected to the Spice Girls actually reads this) - update - I have now received 2 signed photos but of course, being greedy, even more would be nice.

Why RoboSpice?

With the amount of metal that I have had in and on my legs ( I still have a 12 screw plate in my right leg and I now have a metal leg) I am known as Robo Spice. I have therefore designed some Spice Girl pages which contain pictures and facts that I have managed to find and verify. They chart the history of the Girls and particularly Emma (Baby Spice) who is my total favourite and therefore she warrants a page on her own. Click here to visit my Spice Girls pages and hear their singles.

The computer room, just to show my dedication to the Spice Girls - yes I am that sad!!!

If you wish to see pictures of my computer room, known in the house as the Spice Room, for obvious reasons, please click here to see pictures of my Spice Room. This now no longer exists as I had to sell the house but I started again in a shed, then in another room but no more - all in boxes in the attic!.

Spice Baby Emma, our Miniature Schnauzer

For pictures of our own Emma, - please click here to see our Miniature Schnauzer

My Grandsons, Jake and Ben

For pictures my grandsons, who have kept me going, especially Jake, going upstairs to hide!!! - please click here to see them

I no longer work after having been medically retired but before the crash I was into security, particularly computer security.