"I honestly enjoyed every session"

In 2022 I suffered a spinal lesion which left me unable to walk or stand, and spent a prolonged period in hospital.

I was passed from the superb physio team in the Spinal Cord Injury Unit at Musgrave Park to the Physical Disability Physiotherapy Service and found myself in the hands of another pair of outstanding professionals in Shona and Sarah. As the senior of the two, Shona worked with Sarah in assessing my physical capacities and drawing up a program of exercise designed to optimise my recovery, and Sarah it was who routinely chiselled away at the coalface of my limitations. And what chiselling! The improvement in my strength and control of my movement in the last ten or so months has been remarkable.

Things which might be considered 'wee buns' to the able-bodied can be major triumphs with a spinal injury, for example the ability to lift my legs into bed or over a car sill without help or the use of a leg lifting implement. Exercises were targeted, form carefully observed and small adaptations made if necessary, progress noted and appreciated, and further challenge added as required. It was fun too. I honestly enjoyed every session, even when (especially when) in low spirits, Sarah and, on occasions, Shona, answered my daft questions and endured my rambling on in good part.

Such has been the positive change in my condition that on what I expected to be my final review at Musgrave I was offered the chance to come back as an outpatient with a completely redefined set of goals, something I did not foresee and doubt if my friends in SCIU did either. The credit for this is due to Shona and, particularly, Sarah.. Thanks guys.