In October 2023, when I was 71, my daughter, who has cerebral palsy, fell and couldn’t get up. I put my arms under hers to help her onto her feet, but we didn’t manage it. I fell straight back and heard a crack. Now I know that was my back breaking which cut my spinal cord.

It happened on a Friday afternoon and I managed to get up and walk around. I kept going over the weekend, but I was in so much pain. My husband wanted me to go to A&E but I thought I had just pulled a muscle and with the pain there was no way I was going to manage getting into the car. I carried on until Monday but that night my left toes went numb and then the paralysis moved up through the leg overnight. By Tuesday morning I couldn’t walk at all, and the ambulance was called, but didn’t arrive until 5 hours later.

I was taken to the local hospital and was seen by minor injuries at first. After scans they realised it was more serious, and the consultant arranged for me to be moved to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast as I needed an operation. After the surgery I was told I had a spinal cord injury. I remember asking a nurse, ‘will I ever walk again?’. Of course, she tried to reassure me but couldn’t say yes or no. It was really hard work, but I managed to regain some function and can walk.

Six weeks after that I was transferred to the Spinal Injury Centre at Musgrave Park Hospital for rehab, which is where I met Alan, Aspire’s Independent Living Advisor, who told me about Aspire’s Welfare Benefits Advice Service.

Their advice was very good and the process was easy. I don’t like to admit that I can’t do things so had it been left to me I don’t think my Attendance Allowance application would have gone through. I would have given up halfway through that form and not sent it, so I’m really grateful.  

They provide a brilliant service. It’s made a difference to me as talking to people who understand Spinal Cord Injury really helps. I would recommend that anybody with a spinal cord injury speaks to you. 

Welfare Benefits Advice

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