Tomorrow, it will be two years to the day since the Riverton man’s life changed after he had a workplace accident when loading a cattle truck, which caused a compressed spinal cord at the base of his neck.
After surgery, he spent a week in a coma and, at the time, he and his wife Lisa did not know if he would be ever be able to walk again.
Mr Reynolds (42) was then transferred to the Burwood Hospital Spinal Unit, where he stayed for two and a-half months.
"I pushed the physios to make me walk again — and they said ‘no, you’re not ready yet’. I told them, ‘Yes, I am. I want to walk’," he said.
The accident happened seven months out from the couple’s wedding date — they had to postpone the celebration as they did not know how their life was going to be.
With three sessions of physiotherapy a week, the support of the New Zealand Spinal Trust and a "hell of an effort", Mr Reynolds beat the odds and left the hospital walking.
He still had what were called "frozen shoulders", which limited his movements, but he felt better each day, he said.
"I didn’t actually realise in my own mind that it was my determination that took me where I am.
"I had to learn to walk again ... It is not an easy thing to do."
He put his efforts down to the love he had for his wife and three children and with their support he was able to adapt to his new life.
He could no longer do things he loved, such as playing rugby and hunting, but that did not matter when taking the full picture into consideration, he said.
"My life will never be the same again and we realise that. But I am sure I will give a hell of a good shot in trying to make the best I can do with it."
When things settled down, they decided to schedule their wedding again and were married in October last year.
"Seeing him walk down the aisle after everything he went through — it made the day even more special," Mrs Reynolds said.
The wedding also worked as the start of a fundraiser for the New Zealand Spinal Trust, which was paramount in supporting the family.
"We decided we wanted to give back and help the trust raise the much-needed funds to support other people ... Brian set himself and our guests the challenge to grow a mullet for a year and on our first anniversary he will shave it off to raise funds and awareness for the Spinal Trust," Mrs Reynolds said.
The group is set to shave their mullets at a function at the Northern Tavern in Invercargill on October 14.
He and his wife were asking anyone who could give prizes for the event to get in touch with them or support their online fundraising, Mr Reynolds said.
"I am not 100% and I might feel pain for the rest of my life but I am so appreciate of what I’ve got.
"In a way, I am one of the lucky ones ... Yes, I ended up with three plates and screws at the back of my neck, but it is a small price to pay."
