Thread by @FlashCric

THREAD: Shane Warne's cricket heroics are being widely celebrated today, but we wanted to share a personal story about the life-changing off-field impact he had on a member of our own family. (1/9)

Our own @kristopherjhinz, @Flashscorecom contributor for nearly three years, lives with cerebral palsy. He requires up to three sessions of physiotherapy per week to manage the associated pains and discomforts. This ongoing treatment can cost upwards of US$9,000 per year. (2/9)

Prior to the rollout of Australia's National Disability Insurance Scheme (@NDIS), Kris and his family were required to fund the treatment privately. Through his now defunct Shane Warne Foundation (SWF), Warne personally sponsored Kris' physiotherapy treatment for six years. (3/9)

"Shane came into my life at a time when I stood on the sidelines of the cricket field jealously, wishing to participate and cursing my disability." (4/9)

As well as covering the cost of this much needed clinical therapy, Warne also visited Kris twice to lend a friendly ear and exchange some sage advice on coping with life's struggles. Warne even stuck around for a game of cricket - a memory Kris will always fondly remember. (5/9)

"He stayed at the foundation for hours longer than he was scheduled to, and bowled to me and the others until his managers dragged him away." (6/9)

"The public perception of him is that he is arrogant, rude or aloof. That he’s not very connected to the everyday person. That is quite different to what I experienced with the foundation. He was personable, approachable and very down to earth." (7/9)

Warne valued every human connection he made in his globetrotting life, regardless of what walk of life they came from - so much so that he recognised Kris NINE years later when they crossed paths by chance in the studios of a Melbourne radio station. (8/9)

THIS is the #ShaneWarne that we will remember. The man who not only spread around his vast wealth with those who needed it more, but sacrificed his valuable time - which, we now know, was sadly more precious than we had ever anticipated. We'll miss you, king. (9/9)