Aaron, a vehicle test engineer and father of two, sustained a life-changing spinal injury in a motorbike accident in June 2023. He spent eight months in hospital, including time in a specialist spinal rehabilitation unit. Since returning home, Aaron has been adapting to the realities of living with a spinal cord injury.
“It’s those little things you take for granted until they’re gone,” he said.
The challenge
Following his injury, Aaron received a standard wheelchair through the NHS. While essential, the chair was heavy and did not provide the postural support he required. Because of the nature of his injury, Aaron leans to one side when seated. Without the correct support, this can lead to discomfort and increase the risk of longer-term complications.
Working with Peer Advice Services UK, Aaron identified the specialist equipment he needed to improve both comfort and mobility. This included a custom back support costing £700. However, the biggest barrier to independence remained mobility outside the home.
Aaron needed a powered attachment for his wheelchair to enable him to travel further independently and safely navigate hills, kerbs and uneven paths. The attachment cost £6,648 and required additional adaptations so that it could be operated using push-and-pull controls to accommodate Aaron’s limited hand function.
“Everything to do with disability just costs the earth,” Aaron explained.
How funding made a difference
Aaron had secured partial funding for the equipment from the automotive industry charity Ben. Our charity provided £3,000 in match funding to help complete the purchase.
The powered attachment connects to the front of Aaron’s wheelchair, converting it into a motorised mobility device. The adapted controls allow Aaron to operate it safely despite reduced hand strength. With the attachment fitted, Aaron is now able to travel independently around his local area for the first time since his injury.
“It’s the first time I’ve properly been into town since the accident. Just being able to do normal things – that’s huge.”
Impact on daily life
Improved mobility has had a significant impact on Aaron’s independence and family life.
He can now make short journeys independently, including visiting local shops and appointments. Recently he was also able to collect his daughter from a play date on his own – something that would not have been possible before receiving the equipment.
“Before this, I wouldn’t have dreamt of going out on my own. Now I can.”
Ongoing challenges
Following his injury, Aaron and his family relocated to adapted accommodation provided by spinal injury charity Aspire. The move was necessary to ensure the home environment could meet Aaron’s care and accessibility needs.
However, the relocation meant leaving behind their previous support network of friends and extended family. The family currently live in temporary two-bedroom adapted accommodation while they wait for a suitable accessible council property to become available.
The limited space must accommodate two children, specialist medical equipment and a wet room essential for Aaron’s care.
“But if it wasn’t for charity housing, I’d probably be in a home somewhere.”
Despite these challenges, having the right mobility equipment has made day-to-day life more manageable and helped Aaron begin rebuilding his independence.
Outcomes
Our £3,000 grant contributed directly to:
- increased independent mobility
- reduced reliance on family members for short journeys
- improved physical comfort and safety
- greater participation in everyday family and community life
Aaron’s experience highlights the gap that often exists between basic statutory provision and the equipment needed for people to live independently after serious injury. Grant funding plays an important role in bridging that gap.
Aaron, thank you for sharing your experience so openly. We wish you and your family all the best as you continue rebuilding independence and enjoying the everyday moments that matter most.
