Big Give 2024
The 2024 Big Give Christmas Challenge has now closed
Thank you to everyone who has supported us this year. We are delighted to announce that we’ve had a record-breaking year, raising an incredible £61,584.50
These funds go a long way, ensuring that we can continue to deliver the gold standard of spinal cord injury support to everyone affected – check out our 2024 Impact Report video for more info about where your donations will go:
Give the gift of gold-standard spinal cord injury support this Christmas
4,400 people in the UK acquire a spinal cord injury (SCI) every year through accident or illness. That is twelve people every day who have nowhere to turn. As the expert, guiding voice for life after SCI, SIA help people to navigate their journey towards a fulfilled life.
In our 50th year we are focusing on how our frontline services deliver the gold-standard of spinal cord injury support, and we hear from member Julie about her experience:
Julie’s story
“I’ve been a police officer for 30 years and I was looking forward to my retirement. I’d always had a bad back and it was getting worse. I was ready for a rest. But within a few months of retiring – my life had changed beyond all recognition. I remember I was doing a yoga class over Zoom when suddenly, I couldn’t move my legs. I was paralysed. I haven’t been able to walk since that moment.
In hospital, during Covid, my mental health was deteriorating rapidly. My bowel and bladder care weren’t being addressed, I couldn’t have visitors and I was worried about my son at home by himself. I was desperate – it felt like I was in prison.
“I’d never felt so alone, so cut off. It was at this – probably my lowest – point that SIA came into my life.”
Carol, one of the charity’s clinical nurse specialists, worked with the team caring for me, teaching them how to manage my bowel and bladder safely. I wasn’t fully aware at the time of the massive difference this made. Doctors decided it would be best if I went home, discharging me into the care of the community team. But the community team were inundated and advised me to contact the hospital. Once more, I felt cut off – alone and overwhelmed by the uphill struggle ahead. It felt like everything was a battle. SIA were there again for me when I needed them.
With advice from Andy (SIA’s local support network coordinator) Carol, and Susie, another SIA clinical specialist, Susie, I worked out how to make the best of what I had. I loved my quirky cottage, but it was hardly accessible. I bought ramps, a hospital bed (so I could sleep downstairs), arranged carers (as I couldn’t get to my bathroom). I got a good bowel routine sorted, with Carol’s help and advice. I paid for some private physio (my NHS physio had been withdrawn when my original misdiagnosis was corrected). I knew I had to find a part-time job. My police pension wouldn’t be enough to cover everything I needed now.
“SIA helped me work out what to put in place, from bladder care to wheelchair skills and Access to Work funding.”
A spinal cord injury affects everything. Every aspect of your life: family, relationships, home, work… It can feel like you’ve lost so much: use of your legs, bladder, bowel, your spontaneity, even some of your friends or family because they can’t adapt to the ‘new’ you.
“Without the help, advice and support of charities like SIA – I don’t know where I’d be.”
Give the gift of gold-standard spinal cord injury support this Christmas:
We’re especially grateful for anything you can spare in the run up to Christmas. Thank you for your support.