‘The rehab will never really stop’: Saffron’s story of spinal cord injury

To mark International Spinal Cord Injury Day, European medallist Saffron Cresswell, who is currently a patient at the Yorkshire Regional Spinal Injuries Centre (YRSIC) at Pinderfields Hospital, shares her story.

“I was competing in the Bramham Horse Trials on 8 June at Bramham Park, when I fell off my horse three fences from home during the cross-country phase of the competition,” said Saffron. “When I fell, I instantly knew that something was very wrong. I couldn’t feel my legs.”

The 23-year-old was rushed to Leeds General Infirmary by ambulance and went straight into theatre for surgery.

“I had broken my back and squashed my spinal cord,” continued Saffron. “After surgery I was in ICU for about a week before I was transferred here to the regional spinal centre at Pinderfields Hospital.

“I was initially advised to remain on bed rest four or five weeks, to promote healing of my injured spinal cord. During this time, I did a lot of physio in my bed, and the staff would wheel me down in my bed to the communal areas so I could watch the Euros and socialise a little bit. After five weeks, I was able to get into a wheelchair and get properly going with my rehabilitation programme.”

Now three months on from her devastating accident, Saffron is working hard doing extra physio sessions and making plans for the future.

“It’s going really well so far,” she said. “We have sessions every day and group sessions on a Wednesday, but I also try to come down and do extra work whenever I can.

“There are so many things to think about, that I would never have considered before my accident, so that is taking some time to get used to. The therapists are really great and help me with practicing things like getting in and out of the car. It’s all about getting you to a point where you can live independently.

“I’m very lucky to have support from the charity BE Support Trust, and from friends and family who are fundraising for me so I can continue the rehab once I’m home. I know rehabilitation is an ongoing process that will never really stop.”

Saffron admits the journey involves good and bad days, but she has been inspired by the stories of others who have been through a similar experience, and she is not allowing her injury to define her.

“I always knew what I wanted to do – so to suddenly be in a position where I have to rethink that is strange,” she said. “I don’t know what route I would like to take just yet, but one option I am exploring is in commentary or presenting as it’s something I have always enjoyed.

“It is really inspirational to see people who have gone through similar experiences and have come out the other side and are living life to the full – even if it’s a different life than the one they planned to have. It’s really empowering to see.”

The Yorkshire Regional Spinal Injuries Centre (YRSIC) is a purpose built, 34-bed centre with dedicated rehabilitation facilities including a fully equipped gymnasium, sports hall, hydrotherapy pool, conditioning suite, and occupational therapy rooms.

Around 120 patients from across the North and West Yorkshire and Humberside areas are admitted to the state-of-the-art centre after suffering a spinal cord injury each year.

Dr Ram Hariharan, consultant, and clinical lead at the YRSIC said: “It is important to raise awareness about spinal cord injuries that can be life changing and affect people of all ages.

“The impact of the condition is not just on the person with the injury, but also on their families and the wider society. It can be caused by accidents, like in Saffron’s case, but it can also happen due to many other medical causes such as infections or tumours, which many people may not be aware of.”

As well as affecting a person’s mobility and sensations, spinal cord injury can also impact the functioning of the bladder, bowel, skin, breathing and sexual functions.

Dr Hariharan continued: “Spinal cord injury can literally affect every system in the body, and therefore requires a holistic approach to treatment. Our specialist, multidisciplinary team works with our patients through a goal-orientated programme of care and education to optimise their physical and psychological ability so they can live independent, fulfilling lives.

“We are supported by a number of charities – Spinal Unit Recreation Fund [S.U.R.F.], Spine, Aspire, Back-Up, SIA, and Wheel Power – who raise funds, and organise activities and social events for patients, which is invaluable.

“Life does not end with spinal cord injury; it is the beginning of a new life - a new normal life.”