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A story worth narrating-an inspirational tale of “The social golfer”

BY READERS DIGEST

27th Nov 2020 Life

A story worth narrating-an inspirational tale of “The social golfer”

As part of their mechanism, human-beings function to worry. Most of the time, the worry is about the things that are not in control. Usually, people struggle with accepting the fact that certain things in life are uncontrollable, and the faster they admit it, the better it is for them. Life is full of surprises. As a result, it doesn’t always go as planned. The best way to live a happy life is to stop trying to control it, let things flow how they’re meant to, and make the best out of it. 

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As part of their mechanism, human-beings function to worry. Most of the time, the worry is about the things that are not in control. Usually, people struggle with accepting the fact that certain things in life are uncontrollable, and the faster they admit it, the better it is for them. Life is full of surprises. As a result, it doesn’t always go as planned. The best way to live a happy life is to stop trying to control it, let things flow how they’re meant to, and make the best out of it. 

Certain unfortunate events possess the power to turn over life completely. While most people encounter difficulty accepting the situation and spend most time losing sleep over it, a few individuals are courageous enough to accept it, with a big smile on their face, move on. Such an act requires a huge amount of spirit and determination, yet some notable individuals have successfully portrayed such quality during their lives. 

Born on the 24th of April 1958, in Wigan UK, Ian William Halliwell, popularly known as “The Social Golfer,” is an entrepreneur, lecturer, accountant, and a former Golf player. Just like most people have dreams, so did Ian. With his passion, commitment, and expertise in the sport, Ian started playing Golf in 1972, during his early teenage years. 

An ideal example of “life goes on”

With high enthusiasm and goals touching the sky, The Social Golfer has been a keen golf player throughout his life. Due to a knack for the sport, he traveled to many countries such as South Africa, Costas, Tunisia, and Tenerife, in order to participate in golf tournaments. Dreaming of trying to get in the Senior Tour, Ian wanted to give it a try when he retires. Nevertheless, life has other plans. 

In 1996, Ian was diagnosed with a brain tumor on his left side. As a result of the fatal disease, his right-side hearing was impaired with an insane amount of damage on his balance nerve. The talented player had to put a hold on his passion for a while. However, he knew he would come out stronger. In 1997, after going through two major surgeries, Ian recovered from the deadly illness, getting another chance to continue with his passion. 

After battling a life-threatening illness, Ian’s life decided to take another turn that completely turned his life over. In 2006, with his left side feeling extremely numb, Ian rushed to the hospital, where he found out that he has had a major stroke. The stroke was so critical that it ended with him being severely disabled to the extent that the doctors told him that he might not walk ever again, let alone playing Golf.

Upon realizing that he has lost the chance of playing the Senior Tour, he was heartbroken. He was advised to consider writing and tell his story to the world by Bernard Hunt MBE, a former European Ryder Cup Star.

A giver more than a taker 

The power of the inner will of an individual capable of moving mountains. The huge setback in Ian’s life wasn’t powerful enough to demotivate the high-spirited individual. Ian took this obstacle in life as a challenge and decided to take it heads on rather than waste time dwelling over it. He not only decided to start writing but also creating stroke awareness and promoting Golf for the disabled. 

With the optimistic thinking of “A disability is not an inability,” Ian became a part of the British Inclusive Golf. The organization works to bring together the disabled and non-disabled players and create golf-related events that “enable better social inclusion, well-being and aiding rehabilitation.” The former golf player is currently the chairman of a reputable organization, living his dream through others’ eyes. 

In order to give back to the community, Ian has dedicated a large number of his life earnings to The Stroke Association. While spending a huge deal of time creating vast funds for the organization, Ian has played a huge role in enlightening others on how his recovery was aided by Golf, promoting the affected ones to make sure of the effective sport. 

With now being known as “The Social Golfer,” Ian is widely known in the golf world. Pursuing his interest to narrate his story to the world, Ian has authored the book “The Social Golfer,” published in 2008. The book has successfully raised a total of £ 20,000, which the former golf player has donated to The Stroke Foundation. Building onto his writing portfolio, Ian wrote “Living the Dream,” published in 2012. The book was an extension of the journey of his recovery, intending to inspire the readers. 

While describing his life as “still living the dream,” Ian is a man of bravery. How he fought to recover from the lethal illness, followed by the stroke, is nothing but an incredible journey that is an inspiration to people. The way he has turned over his life, aligning his interests with his realities, is not something many individuals can, which is helping him create a legacy for which he will be forever remembered.

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