"Physiotherapy support following a Spinal Cord Injury"

I suffered an SCI (C5 Incomplete) in March 2022. I was treated at St George’s Hospital, London and rehabbed at the London Spinal Cord Injury Centre, RNOH, Stanmore. The SCI affected my hands, arms, feet, legs, bowel and bladder and I had severely weakened muscles throughout my body. I needed support to dress and feed myself and carry out any personal care. Upon discharge I was a full time wheelchair user.

Sarah, Band 6 Physiotherapist, Petersfield and Bordon Community Therapy Team, first started working with me in September 2022. She liaised with my Stanmore physiotherapist, Eoghan, both before and after my discharge to ensure the quality and continuity of my care; and again later with my hydrotherapist, Laura at Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth, including attending one of my hydrotherapy sessions.  She also attended a session at Odstock Medical, Salisbury, with me, where I have ongoing Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) treatment for foot drop.

Throughout all my sessions Sarah has been courteous and professional and has also spent time getting to know me, encouraging and supporting me, enabling me to work to my strengths. She has helped me to feel very positive about my rehabilitation. She has used a variety of techniques with me, including FES, stretches, and exercises to ensure correct posture, foot placement etc. I attend my local gym twice a week, under the guidance of their Health and Wellbeing Coach, Sue, and again Sarah has liaised and shared ideas in order to best support me. Sarah has the ability to challenge me (and get me to face the fear) whilst keeping my safety high on her agenda. We have cheered together when I’ve achieved a goal, laughed together and she’s also been there for me on days when obstacles seemed insurmountable. I trust her completely and am in awe of her dedication to her role.