Here's the blog for my expedition that will get updated constantly on my way home http://rollingbackhome.blogspot.com/ so check it out!
Four years ago I sustained a T6 spinal cord injury (paraplegia) following a motorbike accident, I don't let using a wheelchair stop me doing anything and no one else should either. Sure, things are more difficult than they used to be and why I probably won't qualify for the Olympic high jump team there is still a world of opportunity out there.
At the moment I'm doing 3 months voluntary work at a spinal rehabilitation centre in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The CRP is the only rehab centre in the country of 160 million and plays a vital role following a spinal injury by providing treatment, vocational training and wheelchairs. http://crp-bangladesh.org/
Having never lost my sense of adventure I've decided that flying back to the UK in January doesn't excite me enough and so I made up my mind to make the return journey over land! This will mean buses and trains across 2 continents and 14 countries and while it's by no means going to be an easy trek I know it's possible and that's good enough for me.
A spinal injury is a life changing occurrence and is even more difficult for people living in less developed countries without the safety net of social security, this is the reason why the CRP is so important and I cannot emphasise enough how impressive this place is.
Al-Amin (16) comes from a poor family and was working as a fruit picker when he fell and broke his neck leaving him with no movement below the neck. He arrived at CRP with 35 pressure sores and has spent the last 2 years in bed while they heal. Because of the help provided by CRP both in healthcare and helping his parents find employment Al-Amin is hopeful for the future and intends to return to school when he is discharged.
Money donated to CRP will help people like Al-Amin go on to live as independently as possible by providing them with rehabilitation, providing them with mobility aids, education about their injury and employment opportunities so they can support themselves.
Here are some examples of how money donated to CRP will be used:
PAIR OF CRUTCHES = £4
FEEDING 1 PATIENT FOR 1 WEEK (3 MEALS A DAY) = £5
1 MONTH SHOP KEEPING COURSE = £12
1 MOTHER AND CHILD IN PAEDIATRIC UNIT FOR A TWO WEEK COURSE = £31
3 MONTH COMPUTER TRAINING COURSE = £38
20 THERAPY SEESIONS FOR ONE OUTPATIENT = £40
SKIN GRAFT (DUE TO PRESSURE SORE) = £110
2 MONTH GARMENT FACTORY TRAINING INC. FOOD AND ACCOM = £100
1 MONTH EDUCATION FOR DISABLED STUDENT INC. FOOD, ACCOM AND THERAPY = £62
CHILDS WHEELCHAIR = £55
ADULT WHEELCHAIR = £80
1 PATIENT ON TRACTION (FOLLOWING NECK INJURY) FOR 42 DAYS = £315
WARD COST (TREATMENT OF 8 PATIENTS) FOR ONE MONTH = £1800
The CRP has 100 inpatients at a time, on average they stay for 3 months of rehabilitation.
After hearing about the need for a rehabilitation centre in the north of the country the money will go to the development of a new CRP branch in Moulovibazar in order to help people who find it difficult to reach Dhaka because of financial reasons. The new centre will offer rehabilitation services that will include physiotherapy and occupational therapy to spinal injury patients.
Thanks for taking the time to read my page and I appreciate any contribution you can make!
