Why am I running? 

On the 7th March 2020 my girlfriend Rach fell from a ladder down 2 flights of stairs. Moments later she knew something was seriously wrong, unable to move anything below her hips. Rach was rushed to A&E where doctors confirmed it was a spinal fracture affecting the spinal cord that needed to be operated on immediately. The diagnosis was incomplete paraplegia. Post 6 hour surgery Rach then spent 6 weeks in 3 different London hospitals working on the everyday movements that we all take for granted. She did this whilst also battling a lockdown (no visitors allowed) and a positive test result for Covid.  

With the invaluable help of the NHS she has made progress that we initially weren't sure was even possible. Having started to learn how to use a wheelchair 7 weeks after surgery Rach took her first small steps, and with the help of some amazing physio she continues to improve and feel stronger everyday.  We feel incredibly lucky to have had this outcome knowing there is still a long way to go in her recovery and rehab. 

Why Spinal Research UK? 

Spinal Research is the UK’s leading charity funding medical research to develop treatment for paralysis caused by spinal cord injury. 

Everyday 3 people in the UK are told they will never walk again because of paralysis from spinal cord injury. At various points post surgery Rach was told she might be one of those people. Spinal Research also partner with the amazing Neurokinex - where Rach goes for physio. It's an incredible place, a gym with specialist physio support for people with paralysis to exercise. It's both an inspiring and incredibly humbling place. 

Spinal Research receive no government funding and rely entirely on donations. Because of donations to date they have funded innovative research that has achieved a number of ground breaking changes that have made tangible differences to peoples lives.

Anything at all you can give we'd be really grateful. 

Ryan and Rachel x