Keep Going - Craig Wilson's story

Each year September 5th marks International Spinal Cord Injury Day, providing an opportunity to raise awareness of the challenges that those with a spinal cord injury face, as well as celebrate those who aspire to pave a way forward after injury. Today we’d like to introduce Craig Wilson. Three years ago, a spinal injury from a mountain bike incident left Craig paralysed from the chest down. Today, Craig, along with his wife Debra, strive to get out and about as much as they can.

After an initial stay in hospital for nine months, the ability to return home and continue to live autonomously was Craigs biggest challenge, and that was where our team stepped in. Twice a week, members from the team come to Craig for an hour to help with day-to-day life. Craig also has carers from Access Community Health, who come each day, Monday to Friday.

Initially, Craig required community rehabilitation and assessment services to support his transition into his local community. Craig worked with our interdisciplinary team including physiotherapists and occupational therapists to increase his independence. He states the main help has come in the form of equipment – a companion bed to allow Craig to sleep in the same room as Debra; and a cough machine that he uses twice a day to aid his breathing and respiratory management. Craig’s wheelchair and seating needs were assessed and supported, including a chair to allow him to play lawn bowls. It is not just large pieces of equipment, small things that play a large part in autonomy, such as ramps to get in and outside, and automatic doors, were all brought in through the LFBIT team.

“The Laura Fergusson team has been exceptionally good with everything,” says Craig. “The equipment that they have provided...we are very lucky. You don’t realise how much equipment is out there until you need it.”

Craig has been highly determined in his rehab, taking an attitude of challenging and pushing himself where he can.

“I've only really got two choices, I can either get on with life, or I can sit in the corner and just fade away, and I don’t want to do that. It’s up to the individual; nobody can make you do things. As they say, you can say you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.”

So, Craig gets out and about. Every morning, he heads out in his manual wheelchair to push himself around the road, usually for a good one to two hours. He loves his lawn bowls, going out to play every week and looking to the upcoming national bowls competition, which this year is being held in Christchurch. Most of all, Craig enjoys going out with his wife Debra. They like to get out of the house three to four days a week and continue to find new accessible places to visit.

“We intend to travel and go out a lot. There's a lot of accessible units out there, but you have to do your homework.”

In the new year, they plan on driving up to Auckland for a fifteen-day cruise around the east coast of New Zealand, and then across to Sydney. The cruise has a good accessible unit, and Craig is looking forward to having an extended time away, to enjoy life together with Debra.

“I'll keep going as much as I can. Our plan is to just really enjoy life as much as we possibly can.”

“I’d just like to thank Laura Fergusson, they are a splendid organisation, with very good Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Psychologists who have assisted me in getting to where I am now. I could not thank LFBIT anymore, I truly appreciate it.”

Thank you, Craig, for sharing your story with us, we look forward to hearing about your travels!