Meet Paul Rhodes

I am 44 years old and married with 2 children. In 2003 I was injured whilst on holiday with friends, scuba-diving in Malta. This left me as a T10 paraplegic incomplete. I spent over 5 weeks in St Luke’s hospital in Malta and 5 months in Oswestry, followed by a period in Cannock Chase Hospital rehab unit.

Prior to my accident I was an HGV driver and although I would have liked to return to my old job this was not possible. However, I’ve done most things since then from sport to travel and have found that having a spinal cord injury is not the end of your life – it’s a whole new beginning.

The area I receive most satisfaction from is doing voluntary work with different organisations, this includes being a volunteer at the rehab day unit at Cannock Chase Hospital where I support patients with neuro problems, strokes, MS and other illnesses.

To be able to work for the SIA as a Peer Advisor at Oswestry makes me feel proud to give something back to the unit and the SIA and most importantly to the patients.

I will be at Oswestry every Thursday 10.30am-6.30pm and you can contact me on my mobile on 07527 474647 or email me at p.rhodes@spinal.co.uk