You never think a spinal cord injury will happen to you or a loved one, do you?
I’m Sophie, a proud Ambassador for Spinal Research.
Before my injury, I was a beautician, graphic designer, and illustrator. I was doing a charity challenge, swimming 22 miles (the length of the English Channel) in my local pool. I loved going to gigs and spending time with my family and friends. I was – and still am – an auntie to my niece and nephew. Mondays were very special to me. I’d have my nephew, Arthur, all day. I taught him to swim and was a very hands-on auntie. I loved every minute of being Auntie Sophie!
I used to take for granted how easy life was. I never thought meningitis would leave me paralysed.
I fell ill with flu-like symptoms during the 2022 heat wave. When the doctors said it was meningitis, I just thought I’d get better. But I went downhill, fast. I started having seizures and was put into an induced coma. I can’t really remember too much, but I’m told they had to because my body was shutting down. If they hadn’t, I would have died.
The initial impact on my parents was horrendous.
They thought their daughter was going to die. My pulling through was a blessing for them. I’d survived death. But then realising I was paralysed came as a huge shock. This is why your support today matters. You will help people through some of the darkest, most frightening times of their lives.
Please donate today
My day-to-day life has changed a lot.
I woke up three-and-a-half weeks later to a new reality; paralysis. It hit me like a sack of bricks because it was bad. It was very emotional because it’s a life-changing injury. You grieve a lot following an injury. I cried all the time. It was hard to come to terms with what had happened.
I spent 94 days in the Intensive Care Unit coming off the ventilator and a month in general ward. Then I was transferred to a spinal rehabilitation centre for nine months.
I got a bit better, and now I have a T4 injury. From the front, I’m paralysed from the chest down. But I’ve regained more sensation in my back than I had when I first woke up. I can feel pressure, and I’ve also got more control over my core and back muscles. Initially, I couldn’t move my back independently, but now I can.
I need help with basic things like getting out of bed and getting dressed. I’m back working as a nail technician. Luckily, my arms came back to life. Even though I’ve got impaired sensation along the inside of my arms, my fingers work. I’m able to pretty much do everything I was doing before.
But the thing I miss most is the spontaneity of life. I still socialise as much as I can and go to a lot of gigs and shows. But everything has to be properly planned now, which is frustrating and emotionally exhausting.
I just want to be ‘old’ Auntie Sophie again. I’m not independently allowed to be an auntie now. It used to be so easy for me to be an auntie and be present. I get so upset. I cry over the special times I’m missing out on.
Your support for research can help massively. It can help restore freedom and independence.
Imagine if there were viable treatments in the early stages of hospital care. Can you picture what recovery could look like? Just imagine the difference the right treatment, at the right time, could make.
It’s so important to make research happen. It won't if we don't.
Sadly, as you know, research into spinal cord injuries is not prioritised. Your gift could speed up research into new treatments, moving them from labs to clinical trials. And then to the people who need them – so they can benefit without delay. This could help people regain vital functions, freedom and independence.
Please donate today
There is life after spinal cord injury – and you help make this possible.
At the time, I thought my life was over. I thought I’d never be happy again. It took a lot of getting used to, but I am happy now.
I tell people who are newly diagnosed: Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.
I have an adapted van on order. By the end of the year, I’ll be driving again – another step towards independence and being able to do almost everything I did before my injury. My dream is to be a mum. Seeing other women in the SCI community who’ve had children is so inspiring to me.
I’m currently training with Archery GB. I was scouted in Cheltenham during a Paralympic potential day. The training is intense, but I absolutely love it! Watching the Paralympics has inspired me so much. I’d love to compete in the Paralympics for Team GB!
People can rebuild their lives after a spinal cord injury. Everything you do to raise awareness and fund research makes a big impact.
Please donate todayThank you for helping people like me regain their independence.
