Wishbone Day: About Wishbone Day

Wishbone Day: About Wishbone Day: Wishbone Day is an international community awareness effort for  Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) , also known as 'brittle bones'. Wishbon...

Riverside House : Accessibility Statement

Riverside House : Accessibility Statement

Mothers Day at the Malthouse Project, Bury St Edmunds

  

The Malthouse Project is a unique attraction in central Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.  The building itself is a restored old maltings which dates back to the 17th Century.  The project itself is publicly funded and run by Genesis Housing Association who strive to house homeless or unsuitably housed people and giving those who have been excluded from mainstream education and training a second chance to train and experience voluntarily in our community cafe, The Kiln Cafe, which is run by Simon Johnson.  You can take a self led tour of the building following numbered posters.  

To give you an example of what you can expect please read through this blog which gives you details of what the malthouse has to offer and some pictures so you can get a real feeling for this lovely building.  To the left is one of the numbered posters and picture of the kiln shutter.  This shutter was used to cover the gap through which the grain was shovelled onto, and off the kiln floor.  It would then be shut to ensure that the heat from the kiln did not come back into the rest of the building and affect the starch process.  To the right is how it looks today with the original shutter still in place, and through the window you can see where the kiln was, which today houses the Kiln Cafe. Just one of the points of interest to view!

When visiting the building (see picture above) you will find ample parking in the large car-park and some disabled parking right outside the building.  There is also accessible public transport available within minutes walk.  You will enter through the door in the centre of the building.  This leads you through a wide hallway to the reception area where someone is always on hand to see to your requirements.  If you are taking a self led tour of the building then this is where you will start.

The building is totally wheelchair accessible and has lovely wide hallways for good manoeuvring.  You will take a left from reception and follow the hallway down.  At the bottom of this hallway are the disabled toilets and baby changing area, to the right are the ladies & gent and to the left you will find the Kiln Cafe entrance from inside the building.  You can then turn around and follow the posters which eventually lead upstairs.  Right next to the stairs you will find a wheelchair accessible self driven lift.  This will take you to the next floor and meets you at the top of the stairs.  Halfway up these stairs you can view the beautiful original shutter door to the window, this can also be seen when you use the lift as this is glass.  You then follow this hallway round reading  more posters and viewing more original interesting items from the original building.

On this level is the Heritage room and in here you can view original items on display in our Bespoke cabinet.  The items were found whilst the building was being renovated.  Each item is labeled so if your not sure what it is you will be!  Also within this room is the original grain door.  The two upper growing floors are linked by this small door in the dividing wall. It has a hole in the lower panel, which was used by the malthouse cat, whose job was to patrol the building and rid it of the rats.  Rat holes can be seen at various places throughout the building in the old timber wall planking  These items make very interesting viewing and you can take a rest in this room and maybe have a cup of tea and some cheese and biscuits.  This room is also available for venue hire.

At the end of the corridor there are 6 steps leading up to the beamed room.  Beside these steps is another lift to allow wheelchair access to this room.  Again it is easily hand operated although if you require any assistance then there are staff around the building who would be more than willing to assist you.  Opposite these steps are the disabled toilets which also include a large wet room.  There are also ladies & gents toilets situated at the other end of the corridor.  When you enter the beamed room you may well need to bob your head through the original entrance doorway as it is very low.

This lovely open, bare beamed room is used in many different ways.  It is used to hold in-house functions such as Mothers Day and quiz nights and can be hired for conference meetings or even children's parties.  Please speak to Simon on the email or telephone number below to find out more about hiring this fantastic room.  There are lots of windows within this room giving it a lovely natural light. There is high tech audio visual equipment available in this room and the heritage room alike.  All your catering can be organised in house through the Kiln Cafe staff and volunteers so you can be certain to enjoy freshly prepared food at a very reasonable cost whilst helping the charity.

Once you have finished your self led tour you can go back down the stairs (or via the lift) to the ground floor and into the Kiln Cafe.  This can also be entered from the front of the building to the left through the glass door.  Here you will be greeted by a friendly face and seated within the original kiln where there are still some original stones from the kiln on the floor to this day.  You will be served by a volunteer and your food will be freshly prepared while you wait.  The menu offers a varied choice from home made scones to a variety of panini's all very fairly priced.  Please see the link below for the full menu available.

Mothers Day 2012

On Sunday 18th March, Mothers Day 2012 myself, my son Hadleigh, my mum Shirley and my dad Paul went to the malthouse to have our Mothers Day lunch.  When we arrived we parked right outside the building and went through the open door.  There was a large board outside which showed us through and up to the beamed room.  The tables were laid out beautifully with delicate yellow table cloths complemented with little vases of daffodil's.  We were greeted by one of the volunteers, Sam and shown to our table.  Once we were settled our orders were taken from the wonderful menu.  We all chose to have pate & toast for starter and I chose to have both pork & lamb and my mum, dad and Hadleigh chose the roast chicken, which was wrapped in bacon and stuffed with stuffing for our main courses.  The food was served excellently and timed perfectly.  The meat was served on the plate and the beautiful roast potatoes were served separately so you could help yourself.  For vegetables there was cauliflower, broccoli, corn on the cob, and carrots all beautifully presented in a large white oval dish and it looked absolutely perfect. There was more than enough for all of us and it was absolutely delicious.  Once the plates were cleared and we had a few minutes for our food to go down we were bought the beautiful sweet trolley, wow! Chocolate  fudge cake, lemon cheese cake, Bundt cake, fruit salad........ the list goes on, it was a very hard choice, especially for Hadleigh but in the end my dad and myself chose the chocolate fudge cake, my mum had the lemon cheesecake and Hadleigh chose the fruit salad.  They were all absolutely delicious and we all felt rather full after all that!  We were then served teas and coffees with a mint.  There was no rush at all to leave and the atmosphere was lovely.  There was low music playing which  I believe was war music with Glen Miller and alike, lovely for the mums to relax too!  Nothing was too much trouble, you need a drink? Just ask!  At the end of the meal my mum and myself were presented with a Mother's day present which was a little glass vase with some beautifully coloured Hyacinth's wrapped in clear cellofane in a lovely gift bag.  The aroma from them was wonderful and what a lovely little extra suprise for us Mums to end the perfect afternoon.  I would recommend this or any other organised event at the malthouse, the food really is incredible, just like Mum would make ;)  For more information on up and coming events at the malthouse please click on the link below.

The wonderful staff having their well deserved dinner at the end.

Downstairs entrance to wheelchair accessible lift

Upstairs entrance to wheelchair accessible lift

Original window shutter halfway up the stairs

To view this beautiful accessible building, visit the Kiln cafe, make a booking, hire one of the function rooms or for more information please contact Simon by one of the means below and he will be more than happy to assist you with your enquiry.

Address:         The Malthouse Project

                       8 Elsey's Yard

                       Bury St Edmunds

                       Suffolk

                       IP33 3AA

Telephone:      01284 732550

Email:              malthouse@genesisha.org.uk

Web:               www.genesisha.org.uk

An informative ad about The Kiln Cafe

Kiln Cafe Menu

Map of where the Malthouse is situated

Malthouse project venue hire information

A beautiful accessible holiday home in Bury st Edmunds

Suffolk Tourist Guide - Whats on in Bury St Edmunds

The original Malthouse in the 17th centuary

Blackpool Accessible Holiday Poem

Today I booked my holiday
And I cant wait to go!
I even booked my Travel Insurance
Because you never know!

Im leaving here at six
Right from my very door
Chauffer driven by Holiday Taxis
Ill be on time for sure.

We’re heading up to Blackpool
To the awesome Bond Hotel
I saved some money booking!
Which went down really well.

They offer entertainment
And everywhere’s accessible
The food is just divine
It really is incredible

Daily excursions provided
On the wheelchair accessible bus
Travel in style and comfort
Whilst enjoying your break with no fuss.

Blackpool Beach is a must
The waxworks and piers too
Blackpool illuminations
Are a really magnificent view.

It’s a shame I have to go home now
There’s still so much to do
Back in with Holiday Taxis
But next year im returning to you.

I arrive back at my front doorstep
Grinning and bursting with pride
That I had booked my holiday
Through Disability Holidays Guide.

2013 Accessible Holiday to Mauritius

Wings on Wheels develop and run small escorted group holidays worldwide for people with special needs and the less mobile, their carers, friends and relatives.  They also arrange tailor made holidays for individuals, families and groups both in the UK and abroad to your specific requirements and budgets. 
Here I am introducing you to the brand new 


              2013 HOLIDAY TO MAURITIUS!!          

Friday 18^th – Friday 25^th January, 2013

 £2475.00  per person.

Single room Supplement £350.00

Fly Air Mauritius from Heathrow to Mauritius. Stay 6 nights at La Plantation Resort & Spa which is located near Turtle Bay on the West Coast. There are 4 rooms at street level with bathrooms accessible to wheelchairs at this hotel. The hotel has a swimming pool, in-room safes, tea/coffee making facilities, minibar, air conditioning in the rooms, a shop, spa, 3 restaurants, 3 bars, a lounge, a natural beach, watersports, gym, petanque, table tennis, beach volleyball and tennis. Breakfast and dinner are included daily.  All transfers and excursions are by one wheelchair accessible minibus and one ordinary minibus with English speaking guide.

   

EXCURSIONS

Full day sightseeing with photo stop at Trou-aux-Cerfs dorman volcano, a stop at the Sacred Lake of Grand-Bassin and a visit of the Seven Coloured Earths. Lunch will be taken in the village of Chamarel and is included.

Half day to the Botanical Garden and some time for shopping.

Half day visit to the Physically Handicapped Welfare Association

    

HOLIDAY INCLUDES: Economy flights between Heathrow and Mauritius and return on Air Mauritius.  Accommodation for 6 nights at La Plantation Resort & Spa.  Breakfast and dinner daily. Excursions and transfers as above.  A Care Assistant and Wings on Wheels staff throughout, All taxes, gratuities and Service Charges as at 7^th March, 2012

NOT INCLUDED:- Drinks, lunches, hotel extras, personal expenses and Travel Insurance
(click on Travel Insurance for more information)

This air holiday is ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority.  Our ATOL Number is ATOL 9989.  Please see our Booking Conditions for more information.

For more information please give Jean a call on 01945 871111 quoting Disability Holidays Guide Blog. Thank you

A mini guide to Disabled Holidays in Spain

Viva Espana!

For well over 30 years, Spain has been the destination of choice for thousands of Brits. With over 250 days of guaranteed sunshine each year, Spain has been the automatic choice for holidaymakers for generations.  Could it tick all the boxes and provide something different for those seeking disabled holidays in Spain? My name is Joe Evans and I am the Client Relationship Manager at Disability Holidays guide and I am going to take a look at Spain and help you plan your disabled holiday  from your front door to your destination and back again, looking at Travel Insurance through to some excellent activities, the only thing I cannot organise is your flight although some of our accommodation includes these.

Organising Disability Travel Insurance

Before taking any holiday abroad Travel Insurance must be purchased for peace of mind should things not go according to plan.  Here at Disability Holidays Guide, we understand that when it comes to Disability Travel Insurance 'one size doesn't fit all' so we've teamed up with specialist travel insurer, Freedom Insurance, to offer a customer focused service that caters to the individual needs of our visitors.



From your home to destination.

Finding transport from home to the airport and then from the airport to your destination can be a troublesome task to organise for those with a disability but fear not, Holiday Taxis will do their utmost to cater for any special requirements you may have and offer accessible taxis in many destinations which are suitable for those using a wheelchair.




Finding Accessible Accommodation

Accessible Accommodation can be a challenge to find but here at Disability Holidays Guide we have made it simple.  Here I am going to give you a taster of five varying types of accommodation in sunny Spain we have to offer on the guide but to view our full selection please give us a visit!

 Assisted Holidays in the Costa del Sol offer fully inclusive supported holidays for the elderly and people with special needs.  Karen & Phil will be  available to see to your every need.  They are only approx 45 minutes from Malaga airport.  Their fully inclusive packages include flights, airport support, transfers, accommodation, all meals & drinks, full support 24/7, entertainment, days out, full range of hygiene products and much much more.

Las Golondrias Holiday Centre is unique in that they offer B&B, Self-Catering or half-board, wheelchair accessible accommodation over three houses.  Pat, who is a fully qualified nurse (RGN) has many years experience in the care of the elderly and she is now offering respite care to enable the family carer to take that well earned break.  If you would like to go off for the day, we can care for your disabled or elderly family member so that they too can enjoy a break from the usual routine.

Montana Sol offer a holiday complex that has been specially adapted for their disabled and elderly guests or anyone with mobility difficulties.  They offer a choice of full board or self-catering holidays in one of the most beautiful parts of the Costa del Sol.  This self-catering private wheelchair friendly villa has en-suite wet rooms in all their bedrooms offering excellent facilities throughout.

Las Piedras Hotel is a fully accessible, wheelchair friendly family-run hotel who specialise in providing holidays for disabled people.  Situated in a beautiful rural location of the Costa del Sol, they offer B&B or full board packages. The grounds surrounding the hotel are also wheelchair friendly.  They have their own accessible transport and can provide airport transfers.

Denai Villa in Costa Blanca has been designed and developed by a person with Tetraplegia, who is therefore fully aware of the need for quality accessible holiday accommodation with a high level of equipment provision.  This villa really is a must see so check out the  video of the villa for a full overlook!




Mobility & Equipment Hire

Mobility Hire Mallorca - Lowerhire have been providing first class service to holiday makers needing mobility equipment whilst on holiday for over 15 years.  They can provide you with everything from mobility scooters to commodes they really do have everything to make your stay in Spain like home from home!





Tailored Activities available

Fundacion Handisport situated in Costa Blanca, were awarded the 2011 Best Adventure & Tourism Product and they have so much on offer for everyone.  From Golfing to Horse Riding, Water Skiing to Sailing everyone gets to experience something exciting.  Have a look at everything they have to offer and book early to avoid disappointment.




Foods & Wines
Spanish food is all about variety and adventure and the farther into Spain you travel, the more adventurous the food.  You can play it safe with traditional Paella and tapas dishes or you can throw caution to the wind and dine in style in one of Spain’s many Michelin star-rated restaurants.  Just about every street will house a Spanish Café or Restaurant to suit all.  But all well planned disabled holidays in Spain must include a trip to one of Spain’s many wineries.  Due to their remote locations and age, some wineries are not accessible to wheelchair users but some like the Bodega Vina Real in La Guardia and the Bodegas Darien, which is located on route to Zaragoza are.  These are 21st Century state of the art buildings complete with accessible restaurants and bars, perfect!

If you contact any of the above please could you mention Disability Holidays Guide Thank you very much.

So there you go, Joe’s mini guide to disabled holidays in Spain.  It just gives you a small idea of what is really available out there with regards to disabled holidays and what they offer.   I hope you enjoyed it.  If you need any more info please do not hesitate to contact me. :0)

 

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)

A Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) refers to an injury to the spinal cord that is caused by trauma instead of disease.  Depending on where the spinal cord and nerve roots are damaged, the symptoms vary widely, from pain to paralysis to incontinence.  Spinal cord injuries are described at various levels of ‘incomplete’ which can vary from having no effect on the patient to a ‘complete’ injury which means a total loss of function.  

Treatment of spinal cord injuries starts with restraining the spine and controlling inflammation to prevent further damage.  The actual treatment can vary widely depending on the location and extent of the injury.  In many cases, spinal cord injuries require substantial physical therapy and rehabilitation, especially if the patients injury interferes with activities of daily life.

Spinal cord injuries have many causes, but are typically associated with major trauma from motor vehicle accidents, falls, sports injuries and violence!  Research into treatments for spinal cord injuries includes controlled hypothermia and stem cells, though many treatments have not been studied thoroughly and very little new research has been implemented in standard care.

The American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) first published an international classification of spinal cord injury in 1982, called the ‘International standards for Neurological and Functional Classification of Spinal Cord Injury.  Now in its 6th edition the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) is still widely used to document sensory and motor impairments following SCI.  It is based on neurological responses, touch and pinprick sensations tested in each dermatome, and strength of ten key muscles on each side of the body, including hip flexion (L2), shoulder shrug (C4), elbow flexion (C5), wrist extension (C6) and elbow extension (C7).  Traumatic spinal cord injury is classified into five catagories on the ASIA Impairment scale.

A indicates a ‘complete’ spinal cord injury where no motor or sensory function is preserved in the sacral segments S4-S5.
B indicates an ‘incomplete’ spinal cord injury where sensory but not motor function is preserved below the neurological level and includes the sacral segments S4-S5.  This is typically a transient phase and if the person recovers any motor function below the neurological level, that person essentially becomes a motor incomplete, ie ASIA C or D.
C indicates an ‘incomplete’ spinal cord injury where motor function is preserved below the neurological level and more than half of the key muscles below the neurological level have a muscle grade of less than 3, which indicates active movement with full range of motion against gravity.
D indicates an ‘incomplete’ spinal cord injury where motor function is preserved below the neurological level and at least half of the key muscles below the neurological level have a muscle grade of 3 or more.
E indicates ‘normal’ where motor and sensory scores are normal.  Note that it is possible to have spinal cord injury and neurological deficits with completely normal motor and sensory scores.


































A radiographic evaluation using an x-ray, MRI or CT scan can determine if there is any damage to the spinal cord and where it is located.  A neurologic evaluation incorporating sensory testing and reflex testing can help determine the motor function of a person with a SCI.

Around the world, proprietary centres offering stem cell transplants and treatment with neuroregenerative substances are fueled by glowing testimonial reports of neurological improvement.  It is also evident that when stem cells are injected in the area of damage in the spinal cord, they secrete neurotrophic factors, and these neurotrophic factors help neurons and vessels grow, thus helping repair the damage.  Independent validation of the results of these treatments is lacking.  However, in 2009 the FDA approved the country’s first human trial on embryonic stem cell transplantation into patients suffering with varying levels of traumatic spinal cord injury.  Although the clinical trial is currently only in its first phase, it is considered a giant leap into treating patients with spinal cord injury.  Specifically it is aimed at treating patients with acute spinal cord injury.

Tanya is Tetraplegic C4/5/6/7 Incomplete and this is her story.  

I was born in Newmarket in 1975. I grew up in Six Mile Bottom just outside of Newmarket but had a very close connection still as my Grandma lived there and this is how i met Joe as a child at around 7 years old.  I loved rollerskating, we went to a place called Rollerbury back then, it isn't there anymore.  When I was 8 years old we moved to Bottisham.  I used to cycle all the way to Newmarket, it was about 8 miles and then back again at the end of the day.  I was a very active child and loved the fresh air.  I used to work at Stocks Restaurant in Bottisham when I was 13 years old, this made me feel very grown up.  When I left school at the age of 16, I went to college and got my City & Guilds and NVQ in childcare and worked at All Saints Primary School.  I loved working there, I used to look after the children with special needs there so I found it very rewarding.  At  this time I was knocked off my Moped on the way home from Newmarket.  I suffered a compound fracture in my right tibular and fibular.  I was in a wheelchair for 4 months after that.  After making a full recovery from this injury I did a course in Hotelier and worked at The Cadogan Hotel in Newmarket. I led a very active life and loved going out and partying, I also worked in a bar as well so life  was pretty hectic back then but so much fun.  When I was 18 I visited my sister in New York, she was an Au Pair out there at the time, I visited some awesome places like Boston and I saw the Niagra falls while I was there but I found the pace of the USA to fast and I decided to come home, alone! At age 21 I was driving to work along the A1303 when a tractor decided to turn right without indicating and I ended up crashing into the back of him.  I suffered quite bad facial injuries resulting in plastic surgery on the right hand side and suffered Amnesia for five days.

After recovering from this second accident I decided to start travelling.  I went to Tenerife and Australia backpacking, where I got to swim with Dolphins! something I have never forgotton and hope to do again.  I visited Jamaica which of course was amazing!  Life was all going great for me for the next few years until 21 May 2001 when I was age 25 years old.

I was driving my friends home at around lunchtime from Red Lodge to Soham.  My friend asked me to stop at the shop in Soham so I pulled into the road next to the shop.  My friend went into the shop while I waited in the car.  Unfortunately, the shop didn't have what my friend needed so we drove up to the next shop, about a mile up the road.  I pulled up on the side of the road outside the shop.  After this we drove out of Soham towards the bypass.  I turned right onto the bypass and I did not see the car approaching from my right and it hit me, straight in the drivers door sending the car spiraling  I was in a Peugot GTI although after the impact you couldn't tell what car it was. I can still remember the bang to this day but from that point on I remember nothing until I woke up, although I do have some hazy memories which don't make sense.  I was driven by emergency ambulance to Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge.  The first thing I remember is waking up in A&E and being in horrific pain like someone scraping glass down my arms and I couldn't move. The next few days were filled with x-rays and a CT scan and lots of tests.  It was decided i needed an operation where I would have a piece of my hip bone placed in my throat to release the pressure off the discs, which they thought was what was causing the pain down my arms.  They thought my brain was confused by the accident which is why I couldn't feel my legs.  I felt at this time I would never walk again but the doctors remained optimistic.  Upon waking with stitches in my neck they informed me they had decided after opening me up it was best not to do this. I am a little unsure of the reasons behind this last minute decision. Over the next seven weeks I had various physiotherapy, occupational therapy and more tests but no one could really pinpoint what was actually wrong with me.  At this point they made the decision to transfer me to Stoke Manderville Hospital to their Spinal Unit.  At this time I still had an indwelling catheter that was fitted by Addenbrookes. It was decided almost immediately to fit me with a supra pubic catheter.  This is an insition into my stomach about 10cm below my belly button. (see photo below). This goes straight into my bladder and a bag is fitted to the pipe.  I call this my Gucci bag.  It was at this point the realisation came over me that  I could not move.  I was given a private room, until i was cleared of MRSA which is a precaution as I had been transferred from another hospital.  I had the pin prick test mentioned above, which is basically where they prick you all over asking if you can feel certain parts and if it is the same or different whilst your not looking.  I felt hopeful after this because I could feel some of it in my legs and other places.  They range this on a number scale (see chart).  At this point I was told I had 3 months to start wiggling at least or I would never walk again.  I was moved onto the ward and started my rehabilitation.  This included attending Physio everyday.  I would go for different kinds all throughout the day including the Hydro pool.  After a few weeks the times were increased until at one point it was almost 8 hours a day.  I couldn't transfer items from my left arm to my right and i couldn't hold my arms up at all, especially my left arm.  This meant I could not feed myself still.  After about 3 months of having this routine, I felt settled in and in a safety bubble because everyone around me was going through a similar thing.  Things like having our suppostries inserted at 6am every morning, imagine us all having a poo in that ward!  Somehow I kept going all this time, within this bubble I tried not to think about the future to much at this point. One major achievement of mine whilst in the unit was I played wheelchair Rugby in aid of Children in Need.  This was awesome and I really became quite good at it and it was for a great cause at the same time.  I was allowed home a few weekends to my Mums.  I went once on my birthday but it was a massive thing to do and I felt like I wanted to go back to the security of the Spinal ward.  Eventually I was diagnosed with C4/5/6 and 7 'complete'.  I left hospital and went home to my bungalow in Red Lodge, where i was cared for by an agency followed by social services.  Adjusting to all of this was incredibly hard.  I felt totally lonely and went into my own little bubble where I would pretend it wasn't happening.  I still wont have my wheelchair where I can see it at home and I wont have rails outside my home.  I had as little done to my house as possible.  I had the doorways and hallways widened and a wet room fitted, after nearly drowning in the bath.  I experienced many carers during this time, perhaps I was a little awquard at times who knows!  It was hard to have strangers using my things in my home and just being in my home.  I had always lived on my own before this.  After about a year or so of the carers coming I decided to have a friend care for me on a full time basis.  He moved in and  learnt how to care for me along with the district nurses who came in the mornings to do my bowl management and personal needs and showers.  I still had to be fed me at this time so he did that.  I refused to use the straps they supplied me with to help me eat, so I eventually learnt that if i wove the handle of the fork between my fingers i could just about get it up into my mouth.  This made it a little more lady like in my eyes and less obvious.  i still have to have my food cut up for me to this day.  Having him as my carer worked great for about two years but its hard to be with someone 24 hours a day everyday, especially under the circumstances and things became very hard for both of us and we made a mutual decision for him to move out.  Also during this time (2005) I contracted Clostridium Difficile (C dif), which I later found out was rife in Stoke Manderville during my stay there.  I was rushed into hospital, projectile vomiting.  My heart was racing in the ambulance and I felt like I was dying. I had to have a tube inserted in my nose down into my stomach for them to get three bags of dark green poison from  my stomach.  This also gave me septicemia.  I was very ill.  I came out of hospital after almost a week weighing a mere 6 stone.   In 2006 I was diagnosed 'Incomplete'. I was made up with this it was a huge step for me.

 In February 2006 I was around my friends house and Steve, who I had met previous to the accident came around to see me and see how I was doing.  I was about to leave at this time to go skiing in Sweden with the Backup Trust for the second time,so I arranged to see him when I got back.  On my return from skiing I met up with Steve again and over the next month or so we fell for one another.  Steve suggested moving in and becoming my full time carer because things had not been working out with my friend.  So this is what we did.  Little did I know at this time I had found my soul-mate.  He is the best thing that has ever happened to me.  Without him and the help of my family I really would have ended up in a residential home. He does everything  from personal care including bowl/bladder management to brushing my hair.  He dresses me, does my exercises, he takes the lids off my make-up although I have mastered putting it on myself.  He straightens my hair and paints my nails.  He does everything!  He is a true angel sent from heaven and I love him very much.  Steve doesn't see his role as my carer, he does it purely out of love for me.  I am a very lucky girl!  I was also lucky to meet Ricardo Darcia during this time and through Aspire he ran the half marathon in Bath and raised £3000 to buy me my wheelchair! Which I am forever thankful for as without his help I never could have raised enough money.  Another £250 was donated by a very special friend called Christine Chick.  Her son, Ricky Chick age 27, tragically died after trying stem cell treatment in Ecuador, please read his story on the link below.

Basically today I am left confined to a wheelchair.  I can move my right arm up to my head and my left arm level with my shoulder.  I have my supra pubic catheter (see pic on left) attached to my 'Gucci bag'. Steve changes the bag on this for me and every now and again he changes the tubing into my stomach, which hurts.  Its strange sometimes if I have a blockage in the pipe like for example i am leaning on it, I start to get this  overwhelming feeling that I need the loo!  For those of you that might be wondering, we have a great sex life, I have total feeling in that department!  I know when i need a bowl movement so Steve helps with that. This involves him inserting a suppository and then me lying on my left side and passing onto a Inco sheet and Steve then disposes of this for me and then its shower time and dressed.  I have a special Propad mattress with a plastic removable cover on, this helps to prevent me getting bed sores. My exercises help with management of all of this and keeping my metabolism at a level. I am now down to 12 tablets per day plus sometimes I need extra pain killers.  I also have a special adapted exercise bike which my family bought me so, I am going to be cycling to Brazil and back on that, well in my dreams lol.  I use free weights as well.  My aim now is to be standing at least three times a week.  I have a standing frame at home so I have started working with that now so I can learn to weight bare.  I pop back every couple of years to the unit for my 'MOT' and occasionally for my physio rehabilitation, which is a full time table and it makes me shattered to just look at it.  With Steve behind me I really feel like I can attempt everything and he really does keep me going.

My achievements since my accident

I have been skiing twice since the accident.  The first time was in 2003 organised by the Back up trust.  This was amazing.  We had a buddy to get us ready and they drove us up to the slopes and basically took care of us.  They sat me in a ski car and taught me how to control it myself and eventually go down by myself tethered!  I then went again in 2006 this time i was an expert and came back with my licence upgraded to the next slope! I could now go up in the ski lift on my own and come down un-tethered watch the video on the link below!

In 2009 I decided I was going to do a parachute jump in aid of the Spinal Injuries Association.  I did this through UK Parachuting at Sibson Airfield. They were awesome there.  I jumped with Chris who was the Chief Instructor and he had done over 2000 jumps so I knew I was in safe hands.  What a rush! It was a fantastic feeling.  They gaffer taped my legs together and as we came into land he kicked my legs up and we glided in! My Mum almost choked on her heart! I was first out and last down! See me in action on the link below!

We have been on holiday three times, Steve, me and my family.  Twice to Cyprus and once to Portugal.  We found a beautiful villa in Cyprus where we stayed both times.  It wasn't adapted but it was perfect.  It had steps but they were very wide and Steve could carry me easily up them. The pool there was awesome, something which helps me no end, and of course its a must to lay by to catch the rays!  Unfortunately, the owner decided to move back in so we are no longer able to use it.  We flew with Easy Jet and sat at the front of the aircraft.   I found the longer the flight the more unpleasant because I am used to lounging!  We hired a car and drove around the various places like Aiya Napa and Pathos.  I found Cyprus very accessible, although Aiya Napa was hard work as there are a lot of hills.  Portugal was accessible but there were quite a few high drops off the kerbs but this was four years ago now so things may well have changed now. To be honest, with Steve by my side and accessible accommodation we managed pretty well!


My hopes and ambitions.

I would like Steve and I to have a holiday this year, as it has been a few years now since we had one and Joe is hopefully going to help us find this through Disability Holidays Guide.  On their guide they have a beautiful place in Curacao in the Dutch Antilles called the Dolphin Suites where you can go and have dolphin therapy and stay in a wonderful accessible hotel now as I said above, I would love to swim with dolphins again and this would be the perfect place but the thing is I do not know if I could stand such a long haul flight as I have mentioned.  We want somewhere accessible and where I can see the culture of the country in my wheelchair.  A pool is essential not only to lie in but I love the feeling of being in water and of course this has to be easily accessible to me.  I would love to go to Jamaica again and I have heard there is an accessible island there but I don't know if I could fly for that long. We hope to get married this year so maybe we could incorporate that, we will keep you updated!
I am going to write a book on my road to recovery in the hope it will help others to adjust after leaving the spinal unit.  I would also like to write childrens books concerning medical equipment like my supra pubic catheter and bag so as to make them more aware and less scared.  Perhaps even an 'ABC' book for example A is for Accident etc.
Steve and I would like to have children.  We have suffered two miscarriages and I am currently undergoing tests to see where we can go from here with regards to me carrying a child full term.  We are also considering fostering as well, again I will keep you posted.

I love arts & crafts and love painting.  I taught myself to do this with all the time I have now and I have to say I am very proud of my achievements. (see my picture on left)! I would like to go further with this but I am unsure where at this time, you never know though!  I love making jewellery too but steve has to help me with that. I would love to learn another language and one of my next plans is to learn to drive!!



A last word from me, Tanya
With my scrapes in life it has made me appreciate how lucky we are to be here and how precious life really is.  I thank everyday that I get to spend with Steve and my family and friends.  I get annoyed with lazy people in life who lie about moaning and feeling sorry for themselves, I try my very best never to do this.  I would advise anyone in my position to never give up and always realise it could have been a lot worse.  It is not about what you cannot do it is about what you can!  We didn't choose to be this way but we are.  Its not what any of us chose but we have to get on with it and make the very best of it that we can.  If by telling my story it helps one person then I have achieved something from sharing it with you.  I really hope you enjoyed reading it and thank you for doing so.

A quick word from the blog writer, Joe
Knowing Tanya as a child and seeing her today sitting on my sofa makes me feel very humble to be honest. To look at her sitting there you would never know that she cant just get up and walk out like I can.  I've always known her circumstances but having written all this and thinking about it all I really didn't consider everything else that goes with a spinal cord injury.  Now when I think about the things I complain about, really they are totally irrelevent and a waste of life.  Tanya is so full of life and happy.  She does not dwell on her past one bit. She is a true inspiration.  She just wants to make her life better and help others.  I think bless her heart as she slides down the sofa and Steve nudges her back up for the fifth time. I admire Steve.  He is loving, caring and patient, which I would imagine he needs lots of with Tanya!  You can clearly see how devoted he is to her, it was lovely to witness and he is also a true inspiration in life and unfortunately he is a real rarity in this day and age. I would be happy with half the man he is.
I really hope you enjoyed reading Tanya's story as much as I enjoyed writing it and if you would like to comment below then please do, we would love to know your thoughts.  If you would like to be put into contact with Tanya please message me and I will arrange this for you.

Below are some useful links, some of which Tanya mentioned above and some which you may find helpful.  Please mention where you saw these links if you contact any of them. Thank you

A fantastic guide to Accessible Holidays

The Back Up Trust - Transforming lives after spinal cord injury

Aspire - supporting people with spinal injuries

Spinal Injuries Association

Apparelyzed - spinal cord injury peer support

Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation

Spinal Injury Skiing video

Tanya's Skydive

A short article about Tanya's friend Ricky Chicks who died after receiving Stem Cell Treatment

Impossible dream - Facilitating outdoor sports for disabled