I had always led a very active life and spent most of my time outdoors, volunteering to rear fish for a local fly-fishery. My spinal cord injury was not instantaneous but instead developed gradually following a fall in November 2024. After the fall, I began experiencing severe back pain and pins and needles in my legs. I visited my GP and was prescribed pain medication and physiotherapy before being sent home.

For a time, I believed my symptoms were improving and, although I was still experiencing pain, I continued volunteering at Ladybower Reservoir. Several months later, however, I arrived at the reservoir as usual and, after only a couple of hours, was forced to return home due to excruciating back pain. By the time I got home, I was struggling to get out of the car, as both of my legs had become extremely weak and were no longer functioning properly.

I took a taxi to A&E, but by the time I arrived, the driver had to physically lift me out of the vehicle. At A&E, I was assessed as having “back pain” and was sent back home again. Shortly afterwards, my condition deteriorated rapidly. An ambulance was called via 999 and by this point I had become completely paralysed. An MRI scan for a suspected bleed, later revealed that the original fall six months earlier had caused a fracture in my vertebrae which had gradually been rubbing on my spinal cord.

Shortly afterwards, I was transferred to Princess Royal Spinal Injuries Centre. The staff there were fantastic and I slowly began to make some recovery. It was there that I met Alex, Aspire’s Independent Living Advisor. 

Alex first came to see me on the ward and simply stopped by for a chat. We spent a lot of time talking about my life before my injury, my hobbies, and the huge changes I was now facing. Being able to speak openly with someone who genuinely understood what I was going through was incredibly helpful and reassuring.

Alex also supported me with mobility advice and helped me through the process of applying for an adapted vehicle, which I have now received. In addition, he signposted me to other charities and sources of welfare benefits advice, which made a huge difference during a very uncertain time.

Returning home was a major learning curve. Going from fully supported living in hospital to becoming independent again in my own home was challenging both physically and emotionally. I am now taking things one step at a time and hope to eventually return to volunteering at the fisheries again in the future.

• Mark 

Independent living

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