Cherhyl’s story: Discovering new possibilities after spinal cord injury
5 May 2026
Meet Cherhyl:
- Lives in Devon
- Likes chickens, goats and geese
- Enjoys exploring nature with accessible adventure groups
Cherhyl sustained a spinal cord injury following a road traffic accident in 1980. “I was involved in a bad collision which squashed my spine at L1, and my T12–L2 vertebrae fused together. I was rushed to Hexham Hospital and then later transferred to Stoke Mandeville to continue my rehabilitation. Over time I learned how to walk again – starting by standing for short periods and eventually moving around with crutches.”
In 2014 she was subsequently diagnosed with bladder cancer, and she underwent major surgery which affected her mobility further. “I came round from my operation and I had lost all my strength. I was stuck in bed, and I had to teach myself to walk once again. I re-learned how to get around using sticks and how to use a mobility scooter when needed.”
During an outpatient appointment at Stoke Mandeville, she encountered Back Up. “After hearing about the charity in hospital, I went to the local library and looked them up online. I found out about the range of services that they offer and I decided to sign up for the What Next? course.”
“Joining the What Next? programme was invaluable! The course leaders guided us through different aspects of spinal cord injury, and they introduced me to different mobility aids for people who can walk. From funky sticks to cool crutches and walking poles, they helped me discover a world of support.”
After that, Cherhyl felt encouraged to register for mentoring. “I was matched with an awesome mentor who had a similar injury to me, so she could use her experiences from the past to help guide me. She answered all my questions and helped me overcome lots of challenges, like how to use a train and how to book passenger assistance.”
Later, she also took part in our Next Steps course which helped her grow her confidence. “Throughout the weekend, we explored the city of Bath and visited local attractions, including the Roman Baths. We learned to navigate different terrain, like cobblestones, and to get up and down stairs safely on our own.”
“The group leaders also showed us how to use buses, demonstrating how the ramps work and where to board. Now I have more self-belief to travel by bus in my hometown, making the most of my bus pass to explore new places.”
Looking ahead to the future, she plans to attend a City Skills course to develop her independence further. “I’ve always wanted to see the lights of London, so that’s my new goal! I’m going to join the Back Up residential in either Cardiff or Manchester to gain more experience moving around a big city, and work towards making my dream a reality.”
And when she’s done learning new skills, Cherhyl hopes to celebrate at the Back Up Ball 2026 – marking not just the charity’s 40th birthday, but how far she’s come on her own journey.
