FOR Krzysztof Cegielski, happiness was never exclusively about getting back on two feet.

The former Poole Pirates star was just 23 years old – the same age as Darcy Ward – when he sustained a compressed spinal cord in a horrifying on-track crash in Sweden in 2003.

The accident cut short the Pole’s blossoming career and left him in wheelchair, a desperately cruel state of affairs for a rider who many had considered a potential world champion.

But a decade later, and after countless hours of rehabilitation, a remarkable twist in the tail. Cegielski learned to walk. It was, in many ways, the greatest victory of his life.

Cegielski argues, however, that to set the target to walk again puts an individual in the wrong mindset, regardless of the benefits he has enjoyed since achieving the incredible feat.

The Krakow resident believes that in cases such as that of Ward, who suffered serious spinal injuries in August and last week admitted he may never walk again, the most important factor is to remain positive.

Cegielski, who starred for Pirates in 2001, told the Daily Echo: “I don’t think that people who have these kind of injuries must have the goal that they need to walk again. Their mentality must be that they need to enjoy their lives, be happy and do what they want.

“Many people are walking in the world and not everyone is happy. If you cannot walk, of course it isn’t easy, especially if you are a sportsman like Darcy, who had everything in his hands before the accident.

“But he is in a new situation now and he must enjoy his life. With every day, week and month, things will get better. With each thing he learns to do, it will be something positive for him.

“He cannot give up because everything is possible. He can do whatever he wants in the future.

“I know from my own experience that there is nothing that would stop me from doing anything. I can travel wherever I want and can be around speedway in many respects.

“When people talk to me about my accident I don’t say, ‘don’t remind me about that’. Absolutely not. That was in 2003 and the past 12 years have been absolutely fantastic.

“I really hope and believe that it will be the same for Darcy.”

The upbeat manner in which the 36-year-old views his life is further summed up by his approach to rehabilitation, which he perceives as a somewhat misleading term.

“What I would say about myself is that I am going to be involved in rehabilitation until the end of my life. But I take it as training, not rehabilitation,” said Cegielski.

“Every day I do something such as swimming or special exercises and I don’t see any time when I will have to stop.

“I think I will have to do it until the end and it will be similar for Darcy.

“I don’t have any days where I feel there is no point in training because I know that if I don’t do anything, I won’t make any progress.

“Your body can change after five years or 10 years or at any time. It doesn’t matter how old you are or what type of accident you have had.

“Of course, everyone starts from a different point but it doesn’t matter, because no matter what your circumstances, you can always improve.

“I can walk a kilometre without a problem and can stay on my legs throughout the day, although I still have to use supports as the muscles aren’t strong enough.

“What I need to do now is make my legs stronger. But in some ways I am much fitter now than when I rode because of all the swimming that I do.”

In addition to TV commentary work, Cegielski is president of the Polish Speedway Riders’ Association and has offered his help to Ward in discussions with those close to the Aussie star.

He added: “I can help with anything if Darcy wants me to be involved. I am really open to that and will do everything I can.

“I cannot imagine a bigger honour for me than to help Darcy, even if it was just talking.

“I remember how many people helped me, talked to me and sent me messages and I remain extremely grateful to them for that.

“But that is nothing compared to the support that Darcy has received. He is the first person in speedway who has the whole sporting world helping him and talking about him. That has never happened before.

“That means he really means something to all of us and he should use that support in a positive way.”

  • To make a financial donation to Ward's rehabilitation fund, visit pledgie.com/campaigns/30061.