Dan’s story: Friendship and adventure after spinal cord injury

3 September 2025

Meet Dan:

10 years ago, I fell down an escalator. I didn’t realise it at the time, but I damaged my spinal cord – I even walked home that night. Something still didn’t feel right a few weeks later, so I visited the GP. An MRI scan showed an abnormality on my spine. Three months later, my right foot went numb and it then spread to my whole leg. After many operations, there was a complication. I had a bleed in my femoral artery which clotted in my spine and caused total paralysis. Everything changed so suddenly. And adapting to this new life was difficult. 

I first met Back Up during a wheelchair skills session in hospital after my injury. Learning those skills helped me to grow my confidence and independence. I’m now a wheelchair skills trainer myself, teaching others the same techniques that helped me. I also help at Back Up’s relative’s days, supporting families as they adjust to life after spinal cord injury.  

My friend Rachael has volunteered with Back Up since 2014, as part of the care team on courses. We met in 2017 and have had countless adventures since! We’ve visited a few European cities together, scaled mountains including taking part in The Push and joined the ‘Do the Loop’ challenge. 

Rachael has wanted to do the West Highland Way ever since she moved to Glasgow, and she knew I’d love it too. The West Highland Way is a 96 mile hike from Milngavie near Glasgow to Fort William in the Scottish Highlands. To our knowledge, no one had completed it as a manual wheelchair user before. 

The hardest part was alongside Loch Lomond. It was raining and cold, the terrain was very challenging and my wheelchair broke! But the team camaraderie, the beautiful scenery – especially when the sun came out – and knowing we were raising money for Back Up kept us going. 

We were a team of 10 strangers, but we each brought something unique and supported each other throughout. We tackled every challenge that came our way, and it was an amazing achievement. Crossing into Fort William after six tough days was unforgettable. Together, we raised over £2,500 for Back Up. Giving back through volunteering and fundraising has helped me find purpose again.