Nicola’s story: Discovering what’s possible after spinal cord injury
29 June 2026
Meet Nicola:
- Enjoys gardening
- Likes cooking in her adapted kitchen
- Has been married to her husband, Ray, for over 40 years
Nicola sustained a spinal cord injury following a horse-riding accident in January 2021. “One frosty morning, my friend and I decided to go out for a ride. We were going down a bridle path when something suddenly spooked our horses. I fell off and accidentally pulled my horse on top of me, damaging my spinal cord at L1. I can use my arms but I have limited movement below my waist, meaning I’m now a full-time wheelchair user.”
During her time in hospital, Nicola felt isolated from her family and friends. “I was initially taken to Southampton General and then I was transferred to the spinal centre in Salisbury. Because my accident happened during COVID, there were restrictions on visitors. I saw my husband and my daughter the day I was admitted, and then I couldn’t see them again until April – that was really tough.”
After being discharged, she reached out to Back Up for support and started attending the Lounge. “The Lounge is fantastic as it gives you the opportunity to connect with others affected by spinal cord injury. I’ve learned so much from talking to different people in the group, and I also enjoy sharing my knowledge with others on the call to help them regain confidence too.”
“Through going to the Lounge, I’ve made some good friends who I now meet up with in person. We go out for lunch or get a drink together and it’s just great! That wouldn’t have been possible without Back Up and I feel very lucky.”
From there, she went on to join our What Next? course. “I took part in a range of sessions which helped improve my mindset – slowly but surely, I learned to focus on what I can do, and to enjoy life’s future adventures.”
“The group leaders also supported me to rediscover hobbies from before my accident, like going to the theatre. I didn’t think it would be possible as a wheelchair user, but they showed me how to book accessible tickets and communicate my access needs. Now my husband and I regularly enjoy going to the Chichester Festival Theatre together again.”
In 2024, Nicola signed up for our Skills for Independence course, where she developed new techniques to use in everyday life. “As part of the residential we were set a group cookery challenge, and I joined the team that went shopping for ingredients. We were taught how to get around the city of Leeds, as well as how to navigate supermarkets in our wheelchairs – that was such a valuable experience, and I felt a real sense of achievement once I’d done it!”
Following her time in Leeds she felt empowered to join our Manchester City Skills course, which helped her rebuild her self-belief. “Throughout the week we were taken to a sports hall to develop our wheelchair skills. We then went out in Manchester, putting our newfound techniques into practice. I learned how to negotiate pavements, get up kerbs and go down steps in my wheelchair – now I have a lot more freedom and I feel more confident going outside.”
“We were also shown how to use different types of public transport. We made journeys using buses, trains and trams, discovering how to get to different destinations smoothly and safely. Since going on the course, I’ve caught the train from my local station up to London with my husband which felt brilliant.”
Reflecting on her journey, Nicola says, “Back Up really helped me exceed my own expectations and I would encourage anyone to reach out to them – you get so much out of talking to people who understand and learning from others with lived experience. You are not alone, and Back Up can help you find the way forward after spinal cord injury.”
