Nikki
Back in January 2010, my friend Brooke and I were playing mixed netball, when my opponent collided with me so hard he knocked me out momentarily and sent me flying across the court. When I came-to, I knew I was in pain due to my bleeding hands and knees, but I thought I was just in shock so I somehow managed to pick myself up, then walked off the court in a daze and watched the rest of the game from the sidelines while trying not to cry!
Neither team fully realised the extent of my fall until they checked on me after the game and realised I couldn't move my arms. I thought they'd just seized up through shock but Brooke was concerned and insisted on driving me to hospital. I’m so glad she did. It turns out that I’d badly fractured both elbows and one wrist, and had also sprained the other wrist - ouch!
Brooke was a star that evening. She waited with me for hours during x-rays, phoned my family in the UK, and, because my fiancé was working away that week, even took time off work the next day to drive me back to the hospital for my follow-up consultation.
I ended up needing three weeks off work during which time Brooke popped round most days with magazines, chocolate and other goodies. Brooke and I have always been close, but this made us even closer.
My arms gradually healed and in September last year, my partner and I married. Brooke was there. She said she wouldn't miss it for the world. The amazing thing is that we got married in a small ceremony in New York and Brooke traveled halfway around the world to share the day with us.
Brooke is a true friend – kind, loyal, generous to the core! She is the definition of "sisterhood" to me and I feel very lucky to know her.