Spinal Injuries Association
Gary Dawson is Support Network Manager at the Spinal Injuries Association (SIA). Gary’s incredible peer support and fundraising efforts won him the Inspirational Contribution award at the 2025 NR Times Awards. We sat down with Gary to reflect on his remarkable journey from a life-changing motorcycle accident at age 19 to becoming an inspiration for [...]
Lincolnshire Community Hospitals Group has joined with Spinal Injuries Association to improve patient experiences for people who have lost bowel function after injury or illness. While no official figures on the prevalence of paralysed bowels exist, the charity estimates that over 457,000 people in the UK with neurological conditions, including spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, [...]
By RF Hunt In May 1989, I sustained serious spinal cord injuries in a suicide attempt. When I was finally discharged, I went home to my mum and dad and brother. But soon my brother left home to go to university. Then just after celebrating his birthday, my dad died suddenly, at the age of [...]
By Spinal cord injury survivor, R.F. Hunt For anyone needing personal care, there needs to be a high degree of trust. But what if that isn’t present? What if you are in a relationship and your partner rather than acting as a ‘carer’ is instead controlling, abusive or neglectful? Molly had been [...]
A woman who suffered a spinal injury when she fell in the shower four years ago said she was “buzzing” after completing a triathlon dressed as Wonder Woman. Trish Brookes, from Crewe, Cheshire, took part in the Superhero Tri event in Windsor on Friday in the latest of a series of challenges in support of [...]
By RF Hunt Anyone who has complex disabilities, that might include both physical and mental-health disabilities, will know the sinking feeling when you are accessing hospital treatment, and a nurse asks for a ‘history’ - what conditions you have, and what medication you are on. The problem is over time it can get harder to [...]
The Spinal Injuries Association has issued a statement in response to the UK government’s 10-Year Health Plan which was revealed yesterday. The statement reads: The Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) welcomes today’s commitment to expand Neighbourhood Health Services that deliver more personalised, proactive care in the community as part of the government’s 10-year health plan for [...]
The Spinal Injuries Association has issued a statement in response to the UK Government’s PIP Bill vote. The charity stated: The Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) welcomes the Government’s confirmation that Clause 5 of the Universal Credit and PIP Bill will be removed at committee stage next week. Clause 5 would have introduced a damaging and [...]
By freelance journalist and spinal cord injury survivor, R.F. Hunt There is fear and anxiety amongst the spinal cord injury (SCI) community regarding the government’s proposed plans for tightening the eligibility for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) using the ‘daily living’ section of PIP. Many people with SCI, like Julie, Janet and Dan in this article, [...]
Open Road Access (ORA), a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) rental service with a mission of supporting 15 million accessible trips a year by 2030, has announced a new partnership with the Spinal Injuries Association (SIA), the UK’s leading charity supporting people living with a spinal cord injury. The partnership brings together two purpose-led organisations committed [...]
