Kehinde’s story – gaining the courage to move forward

25 September 2024

My injury happened in the middle of the night. A fire broke out in my flat and I had to jump from a second story window with my children. The fall damaged my spinal cord at the T12 – L1 level.

I didn’t just sustain my spinal cord injury in the fire – I also lost my son. This was deeply traumatising, but I knew I needed to keep going, for my other two children. I had to be OK for them.

I was in hospital for eight months after the fire, but I couldn’t wait to go home. I was able to cope while around my family, so I was eager to get back to living a normal life with them as soon as possible. I was determined to move forwards.

Discovering Back Up really helped me in those difficult early days. I met a volunteer on the hospital ward, who told me her story. She gave me so much encouragement – showing me that I could still be whatever I want to be, and that I could still be there for my family as well. She told me all about how she went to university and travelled the world – this gave me the courage I needed to move forwards.

I signed up for Back Up’s mentoring service when I left hospital. I wanted to get to know someone else in a similar situation, and learn how they were living life.

My mentor didn’t just give me a shoulder to lean on, she proved that I could do anything with the right adjustments. In our weekly mentoring sessions, she helped give me accountability for the goals I wanted to achieve. Every time we spoke, I‘d update her on what I had done. I’d tell her how I was able to go to the park with my kids, meet with friends, or go to the shops with my husband. She pushed me to keep going.

Since I had mentoring with Back Up, I’ve made arrangements to travel further. I am now planning on a trip to Nigeria with family.

I would absolutely recommend Back Up’s services to anyone in a similar situation – my mentor made all this possible.

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