I worked as a motor mechanic all my life, since I left school. I had the accident at work. Up until that point I had never been out of work and was very active. It was a huge shock to my system to not be working and a huge adjustment for my wife, too.

When we called the ambulance, the paramedics treated me for a stroke and that continued until I had a conversation with a passing physio on the ward. By pure chance he asked me what I was in for and I said I wasn’t sure, but they think I’ve had a stroke.

He had a look at me, went away to find another physio and they did some functional tests. I couldn’t move my right side or go to the toilet. They then transferred me to Leeds General Infirmary (LGI), and I ended up having spinal surgery a day later.

I didn’t know anything about Spinal Cord Injury, so I didn’t know how serious it was until I started doing physio and realised how hard everything was. I didn’t have a great deal of time to think about things, it happened and I knew I just had to get on with it and recover as much as possible. I was in hospital from July to September.

I was in LGI for a couple of weeks after surgery before returning to Pinderfields Spinal Injury Centre for rehab. I saw a poster about Aspire and an Aspire Independent Living Advisor suggested I contact their Welfare Benefits Advice team as I was worried about being out of work.

Their advice was second to none. I’ve worked all my life so I’ve never had to claim benefits before. I didn’t know what I could claim, never mind how to start claims. I would never have been able to fill in the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) form myself. I wouldn’t have had a clue what to write.

Thanks to PIP I can have a Motability car. My previous car was too low and uncomfortable. I now have a car that is much easier to get in and out of and has a big enough boot for my walker and scooter. My car gives me some independence back, and I wouldn’t be able to have it without the Motability scheme.

Aspire’s Welfare Benefits Advisor Michelle’s advice made all the difference with the award I got. She knew what to ask me so that I gave the correct information to the DWP. I honestly think that if I did the form myself it would have been thrown out straight away and I’d be stuck in the house with no car. I really appreciate the help Aspire has given me.

(Robin)

Welfare Benefits Advice

Personal stories

How we help