My near-death experience made me happier than ever, says Eleanor Hooper
Stephen Sutton was right when he said we shouldn't let a tragedy be the reason for appreciating life. But I think sadly, it's the way we work as humans; we take things for granted if they’ve been that way too long.
I've been very lucky in that I’ve not experienced many tragedies in my life, but there was one event that made Stephen's comments hit home.
After I was hit by a car and went through the windscreen of an oncoming taxi, I ended up in hospital with no recollection of what happened.
The taxi, it turns out, had been travelling at 40mph, and it was only because I was, rather inebriated that I went floppy and avoided any broken bones – or worse.
I was left with the inevitable cut up face and body, concussion, and then post-concussion syndrome, and then with what felt like arthritic knees and hips for two months.
I'm not trying to paint this incident as the worst thing that can happen to a person - but the effect it had on me was incredible.
For the next six months of my life, I was the happiest I've ever been.
Gone were my previous concerns with how I looked, what I was wearing, what I wasn't good at, what people thought of me - I was just happy to be alive.
There was this overwhelming feeling within me that everything could have been so much worse: I could have received life changing injuries, I could have died on the road that day.
And in what I'm sure everyone will think is an incredible cheesy statement - I felt like I'd been given a second chance.
For six months I went out every night, I took up every opportunity, and I really don't recall feeling a moment of sadness.
But as with all feelings - they do subside. That initial rush wore off. Real life set it.
It's only after hearing Stephen speak so passionately about not letting something terrible knock you into gear that I've realized we can’t let this happen. However hard it is, we must find time to count our blessings, to realize that each day is an opportunity to do something great.
Or failing that, just make each day the best you possibly can - for you and the people you love.
Losing a loved one gave me a new perspective, says Fiona Day
Stephen Sutton inspired millions of people around the country with his fearless drive and can-do attitude, even in the face of cancer. Thousands took to Twitter to express their sadness at his death and pay tribute to him and his terrific feat of fundraising.
Through Stephen’s death, the nation has been taught not to take life for granted and to live life as if every day is a new beginning.
Though the nation mourns the loss of such a positive figure, I can’t help but reflect on my own losses and recall a similar sense of ‘carpe diem’ which comes with losing someone who inspires you.
I lost a friend earlier this year to cancer. She also raised money for Teenager Cancer Trust and, like Stephen, kept fighting for a long time.
When faced with the death of a loved one, particularly someone so young, it’s easy to let grief get the better of you. The only way I felt I could respond to my friend’s death was to live on her behalf and make sure I wasn’t wasting any opportunities nor worrying about things that didn’t matter.
Though I’d lost a friend, I’d gained an immense amount of perspective.
I hope anyone who was touched by Stephen’s story will also gain a bit of perspective. If you’re holding a grudge that’s past its sell-by date then let it go. If you’re putting off that weekend with your family because work is too hectic, book a few days off and take the first train home. Waste no time.
As Stephen showed us, life is too short to be sitting around. Everybody wants to change the world, but nobody seems to want to try. Stephen, in his short life, DID change the world, and now we all know its possible. So lets live on his behalf and continue his legacy wholeheartedly.
Life really is short - we should make the best of it, says Kayleigh Dray
You've heard of the six degrees of separation right? Basically it's a pretty clever theory that stated everyone and everything is six or fewer steps away, by way of introduction, to any other person in the world.
But, to be honest, we think it's far less than that - especially when cancer is concerned.
It's a FACT, not a theory, that 1 in 3 people will be affected by cancer at some point in their lives. Some of us have had it. Some of us have nursed mothers who have had it. Some of us have lost loved ones to it. Some of us have helped our best friends to fight it. Some of us have dealt with a combination of these (seriously bad times).
And some of us have allowed us, like Stephen Sutton, to let cancer give us a new perspective on life. Because, while cancer is awful, it makes you appreciate things so much more.
Laughter. Laughter is very important. Friends? Even more so. Love? I think, in all honesty, love is the most important thing of all.
Cancer may destroy lives - but it also teaches us to cherish each other, to treat each other with love and respect, to do our best by one another. Thousands of people reached into their pockets to help Stephen complete his bucket list and raise over £3million for the teenage Cancer Trust. None of us knew him, but we were moved by his story - and we all wanted to show we cared, in some small way.
So that is, I think, the important lesson to take away from all of this. Grief inspires us to do amazing things - and, while a new lease of life is important, I think a new lease of love is, perhaps, the most important life lesson of all.