Freddy Tylicki spoke of his delight at being able to spend Christmas Day at home
Tuesday 27 December 2016 17:41, UK
Freddy Tylicki spoke of his delight at being able to spend Christmas Day at home in a telephone interview at the end of Channel 4 Racing's final broadcast from Kempton.
The talented and successful Flat jockey suffered paralysis of the lower half of his body in a four-horse pile-up on the all-weather course at the Sunbury track eight weeks ago.
After spending 15 days in intensive care at St George's Hospital in Tooting, Tylicki, 30, was moved to a general spinal ward and left hospital a week ago. He is now in the London Spinal Cord Injury Centre at Stanmore.
Tylicki said: "I was absolutely delighted to be home for Christmas (with mother Irene and sister Madeleine).
"It was only for the day, but it was obviously a step in the right direction. I have a lot of things on my plate right now, but the main thing is to stay positive.
"I left hospital a week ago and I'm now in Stanmore. It's one of the best spinal clinics in the country, so I'm really looking forward to spending my time here and to staying positive.
"The support I'm getting from everyone in racing is absolutely unbelievable. I don't really know how to thank everyone.
"There's been a lot of money raised for me. It has all been very helpful and the team in the spinal clinic are absolutely brilliant. They do a great job.
"A lot of friends have come to visit me. They have given me a lot of help and support to stay positive. I appreciate that very much. You don't really know how to thank everyone."
Tylicki has made several appearances on the Morning Line, and asked if he might pursue a career on television as a racing analyst, he said: "You're jumping a few hurdles too early for me. I really enjoyed my time when I was with you on the Morning Line.
"I really felt very welcome, but at the moment I just have to concentrate on my rehab and if things go right here and I come out a stronger person, then we'll speak about it again in three months' time.
"I'm not sure, but I wouldn't rule it out."
