PINNT is delighted to announce a new Charity Ambassador, as well as PINNT being a non-financial sponsor for David

01/08/2024

My name is David Bolton, and I am 48 years old. I was born in Putney in London and moved to Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, where I now live, in 1989. I am married to Michelle, who is a carer at our local hospital. I have a 14-year-old Yorkshire Terrier called Ruby, and I have a granddaughter called Nellie, who is 10 months old.

Prior to becoming unwell, I was an operator and supervisor, then a test lead repairer at Glen Air UK for 22 years. I enjoy watching football and attend Chelsea FC matches where possible. My other interest is snooker, where I represent World Disability Billiards Snooker (WBDS), and I represented Great Britain in Thailand in the World Ability Sports Games (WASG).
 
Having a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease, and taking medication for it, in September 2021 I became unwell with chronic stomach pain and was admitted to hospital. I assumed it was a severe flair up, however, following an MRI scan and being taken for surgery, it became apparent that it was more serious. I don’t recall much from that time, but Michelle told me that they found a severe blood clot in my intestines had stopped the blood supply and killed 90% of my intestines. The damaged bowel was removed over four major operations within seven days. I was in an induced coma for two weeks. Slowly I was brought out of the coma and informed that I only had 10% of my intestine left. I had two stoma bags and a central venous catheter for my nutrition. I was to have 3000 ml, seven days a week for life. They then told me that at one point I was critical and the operations had been life-saving.
 
Artificial nutrition was mentioned early on. I don’t recall when, but when it happened I received training on how to do the procedures and change my dressing so I could be independent when I went home. Initially it was a massive shock when it was explained to me and I realised it would be for life. For someone who was never emotional before the operation, I found that I was emotional every day and wondered what type of life I would now have At times I wondered if it was a life worth having. I have accepted it now, because to move forward I had to accept and adjust to this new way of life. I did this with the support of family and friends, and I didn’t want to be beaten as I have always been competitive and this was one fight I was not prepared to lose.
 
In terms of adjusting to my parenteral nutrition (PN), I have surprised myself. I have had to change the way I live. I have to prepare my daily routines and tasks in advance and any trips away take a lot more preparation and consideration, especially when I have to organise all my medical equipment, medication and PN. I now have a smile back on my face, which I never thought I would have again. I have been told by hospital staff that, whilst I was in hospital, I was easy to care for, I never gave them any problems, and that it was my wicked sense of humour that probably got me through.
 
Thankfully, I have returned to playing snooker. I’ve been playing it since the age of six and played at a very good level. I thought I would never be able to play again, but I am now playing in the World Disability Billiards and Snooker as well as representing my county again.
 
After recovering from multiple emergency operations that have left me with my disability, I was told many things would change for me. One of them would be that I would never be able to play snooker again. When I did pick up a snooker cue after six months, I had one frame and had a 58 break. A close friend of mine, Tony Morgan, said to me, ‘Why don’t you try and get on the WDBS tour and see if you’re eligible to play?’ He also introduced me to Daniel Blunn, who also plays and gave me a lot of advice. I then did some research about WDBS, contacted various people to find out more information about WDBS, and completed an application form. The rest is history!

Matches and wins to date:  

2023 UK Disability Championship (Winner)
2023 German Open (Winner)
2023 World Abilitysports Games in Thailand representing Great Britain (Bronze Medal)
2024 British Open (Winner)
2024 Belgian Open (Winner)
2024 Hull Open (Winner)
 
I have the most fantastic support from Queen’s Medical Hospital and medical provider B Braun. Between them and myself we plan my feed schedule, the equipment that I need to take, cool boxes and medication schedule, taking into account any time differences if travelling abroad. Their help and support has been invaluable and has allowed me to participate in these snooker events and fulfil my dreams.
 
When you are first told that PN (or any other type of feeding you may need) will be a normal way of life and how drastically you have to change and adapt to this new way of life, you first think that your life is over. Is it really worth living? These were my initial thoughts. There’s more support and people in the same position that you are, and you’re not alone. It can be challenging but, as I have proved, nothing is impossible. It just takes time and careful planning, and you can still enjoy a fulfilling life. I never thought that I could still feel I had a purpose, that I could be able to do things that I enjoy, but I can. I would say to anyone else, take your time, talk to others in the same position, and where there is a will there is a way. There is light at the end of that dark tunnel. I’ve been there and I have come through it. I am the same person, just living a different life.
 
You can still enjoy doing the things that you love and enjoy doing, you just have to do them in a different way.
 
I feel really proud to be a PINNT Charity Ambassador. I look forward to growing in this role. Like everything else in my life, I will always give my utmost to achieve my goals and help myself and others in any way I can. Hopefully PINNT’s sponsorship will start many conversations.
 
Within my role I hope to help others overcome their fears and to fulfil their potential in leading a new way of life. I also want to make people aware of the fantastic role PINNT plays and the resources that it can offer people with conditions that result in living with a feeding tube or central venous catheter. It will be a learning process for me, but something I am looking forward to participating in.
 

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