To mark Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day, we’re revisiting the inspirational story of our client, Arfon Hardy. Arfon was left paralysed following a negligent incident during surgery, which was required due to a compression on his spine. During the surgery, unbeknown to Arfon, a disc was negligently removed. This incident left him paralysed from the waist down.
Arfon’s inspirational journey
Arfon has always been an adventurer. Prior to his surgery, he was well-travelled and took part in numerous adrenaline sports and adventurous activities. His recovery and rehabilitation journey was long and challenging. We were moved to see Arfon trial numerous new and innovative ways to mobilise again – and have always been touched and inspired by his ability to keep going, even when things were difficult.
When we last caught up with Arfon, which you can see more of in our client story video here, he was deep into a renovation project – along with the support of Fletchers and his wider multi-disciplinary team – to build a new home which would accommodate his injuries and life-time care needs.
An exciting new chapter
We’re pleased to report that Arfon has since moved into his new home – which is equipped with wide corridors and doorways, fully accessible living quarters, and a beautiful outdoor space which is adapted for ease of mobility. The adapted bungalow also includes a separate living space for his care team (beautifully incorporated into the main building) – which means that Arfon can feel supported and comfortable, whilst also enjoying the independence and privacy of his own home.
Arfon also remains an adventurer!
In recent months, he’s visited:
- Thailand
- Cambodia
- Kuala Lumpur
- Lankawi
- Phuket
Which he tackled with only his wheelchair for mobility support!
But that’s not the only adventure he’s enjoyed since his injury. You can read here about Arfon jumping out of a plane, and jetting across the ocean to visit the Niagara Falls.
Despite Arfon’s hunger for excitement, one thing we know he adores is the quiet comfort of his Golden Retriever, Jasper. Jasper has always featured in Arfon’s progress updates, and has been a huge support to him during his recovery. So much so, that Arfon has recently brought a new puppy, Casper, into the family as a friend for Jasper – and the two appear to be getting along wonderfully!
Arfon’s progress is truly inspiring. His character shines through every challenge he faces – but it also highlights the urgent need for better spinal care for all that suffer spinal cord injury.
The need for a National Spinal Cord Injury Strategy
The Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) is today marking Spinal Cord Injuries Awareness Day. This is an annual event that raises awareness about spinal cord injury (SCI) and sheds light on the challenges faced by over 105,000 people in the United Kingdom.
At Fletchers, we support the need for a National Spinal Cord Injury Strategy to improve care, support, and rehabilitation for people living with spinal cord injuries.
By working closely with the NHS, government bodies and the healthcare community, the SIA outline that a strategy should prioritise:
- Accessible rehabilitation
- Lifelong support
- Adequate funding and resources
Spinal cord injuries are catastrophic and life-changing. In order for injured individuals to be able to move forward and live their best life possible, adaptations need to be made.
A comment from Arfon’s legal team
Ami Dollery, Associate Chartered Legal Executive – and the lead on Arfon’s case – has here outlined her thoughts on the need for a National Spinal Cord Injury Strategy:
“Lack of NHS funding leaves clients struggling massively. These individuals have gone from such an independent life to being paralysed and in a wheelchair; and this impacts their accommodation, their finances, their physical health. It also brings with it the risk of bladder and bowel infections, the risk of pneumonia, chest infections and breathing problems, as well as the risk of mental health complications.
“These patients struggle to get the right level of care. As we saw from Arfon’s story, he was unable to schedule care at a time which suited him, meaning he was often made to go to bed at a very early time, as this was the time that the carers could come.
“Further, NHS rehabilitation is extremely limited once they have left the rehabilitation centre, and this often leaves them unable to make any functional improvement.
“Improved care, support and rehabilitation would help SCI patients with improved function, mobility, bladder and bowel care, independence; and equally, mental health. This would give SCI patients the best chance of living the most fulfilling life possible.”
Breakthroughs in care and support, and how this impacts SCI patients
Ami goes on to explain:
“We once supported a client who had been placed in a care home that didn’t understand his spinal cord injury. As a result, he was poorly looked after. This led to a decline in his physical and mental health.
“Funding provided through his legal claim allowed him to locate a suitable rehabilitation centre that understood his spinal cord injury, as well as the potential implications and opportunities to make useful gains. They offered the right level of care, support and ongoing rehabilitation from a multi-disciplinary team, which led to a massive improvement in his mental health. This naturally led him to be more motivated to engage in rehab and be compliant with care.
“Our expert was of a view that if he stayed in the care home he wouldn’t last more than 12 months, and yet he is still here six years later, because of the access to proper care, support and rehabilitation.
“It is my personal hope that all spinal cord injured patients will be able to access the level of care that is currently only afforded to our clients through compensation, or available to wealthy individuals. This will allow everyone with a spinal cord injury to make all possible functional gains and improve their quality of life.”
Learn more about how our specialist serious injury team can support your spinal cord injury case.
