Pete Gardiner

Seven years ago I was fitting pvc double glazing when I fell off scaffolding and onto my back. I was helicoptered to hospital and then transferred within 24 hours to Stanmore SCIC where I stayed for 15 weeks.

I was 32 then and being rather bolshy, left the specialist Centre in the wrong frame of mind. Although I knew physically what to do, my head wasn't ready at all and I retreated to bed for 5 months.

I went on a Back Up course with other spinal cord injured people, talked to them and that took me out of my own little world. I then read about diving in SIA's FORWARD magazine (my ex-wife had made me a member) and soon after went offshore scuba diving in Egypt.

I became an SIA volunteer because I appreciated how important it is for patients and families to talk to someone who's Been there, Done that, Got the T-Shirt and come through the other side. If you're able to pass on to one person the encouragement and focus to start a new life, then it's worth the time spent volunteering.