Associate Lawyer, Leigh Ferguson from Jacksons’ Dispute Resolution and Corporate Recovery department was invited to take part in The Inter Spinal Unit Games in September 2022, and represent the Golden Jubilee Spinal Unit in Middlesbrough.
In December 2020 Leigh suffered four seizures within 24 hours, which resulted in compression of the lumbar area of her spine, the fractured bone entered her spinal cord resulting in permanent damage and paralysis from the waist down. She underwent emergency surgery to stabilise her spine around the damaged area of the spinal cord with the addition of two rods and 10 screws put into her spine.
Leigh was in hospital during the pandemic, from December 2020 until May 2021, and was looked after by the staff at the Golden Jubilee Spinal Unit in Middlesbrough. The unit provides wrap around care, full rehabilitation for SCI patients, including a full complimentary team of physiotherapist, occupational therapists, consultants and psychologists to help patients with their life changing injuries.
Due to the damage to her spinal cord, Leigh was told she would never walk again. However, following months of physiotherapy, Leigh can now walk with the help of walking aids.
Leigh has had to overcome many challenges since her injury. However, she has done this through pure grit and determination. She returned to work in April 2022, working between the office and home and continues to provide an excellent service to her clients.
Leigh said, “I was really keen to get involved in the games and send a positive message to other people in a similar situation to my own. Life does go on after a serious injury, it’s just different from what it like was before. It is something that I and others have to live with, why be ashamed, we need to embrace it if we are going to survive.”
This year’s Inter Spinal Unit Games saw 75 participants from 10 spinal units from around the UK. Leigh was honoured to be invited to attend the games on behalf of the unit along with seven other former patients from the unit.
Leigh took part in several sport activities including wheel chair rugby, tennis, table tennis, basketball, archery, shooting, swimming, javelin, boccia, wheelchair racing track and off road, athletics, rowing, fencing and won the free style swimming 25 meters.
The Inter Spinal Unit Games take place in Stoke Mandeville Stadium, the home of the para Olympics and provide an important opportunity for future athletes to discover their potential for sport. The games have now been running for 30 years.
Thousands of spinal injured people have also achieved sporting success and led a healthy active life as a result of taking part in this extraordinary event.
50,000 people in the UK live with a SCI, it not only affects just mobility, but it can also impact on bowel, bladder control, sexual function, loss of sensation, the loss of ability to regulate breathing and body temperature.
If you would like to find out more about the games, visit www.wheelpower.org.uk.
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