In September 2022, I was just beginning a new chapter of my life. I’d just moved from Newcastle to London to begin a degree in Economics and Management at King’s College London. Just after I’d started university, I caught a common cold. I didn’t think anything of it, I just thought it was Fresher’s Flu, but my condition rapidly deteriorated.
Within 48 hours I was experiencing paralysis and was admitted to Critical Care at the Royal London Hospital. I was suddenly contending with Acute flaccid myelitis, which caused a C2-T2 legion to form on my spine. It’s a rare condition, with only five to 600 cases worldwide.
My life was turned upside down. After four weeks at the Royal London Hospital, I arrived at the London Spinal Cord Injury Centre (LSCIC) at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore.
Initially, I was terrified. I was paralysed from the neck down and I no longer knew what my future would look like. My mum, dad, and seven-year-old brother were also 290 miles away at home in Newcastle. My dad, who is an anaesthetist, took a leave of absence from work so that he could come to stay and support me full time.
In the early days, no one knew the full extent of my injury, which worried me and everyone at home. The first few days and weeks were really challenging. In ICU, I didn’t feel fresh air on my skin for a whole month. I was sedated and often experienced nightmares and hallucinations.
I was fortunate to have extensive physiotherapy once I was at the LSCIC and a lot of support from both the NHS staff team and everyone in Horatio’s Garden. I remember going outside in a wheelchair and just how accessible the garden was. When you’re in a wheelchair, you feel every bump, so the smooth paths are so important.
My dad was also incredible. He learned which physiotherapy exercises would be most effective for me so that I could keep improving my gait, coordination and core stability. We practiced in the gym and in the garden all over Christmas and the New Year. We knew the first couple of months were crucial for improving outcomes, so I worked as hard as I could.
I had lots of hope, and the garden gave me the chance to have a normal life again. I always enjoyed arts and crafts, interests which were overtaken by schoolwork and sports as I got older. The garden allowed me to reconnect with myself and the world in so many ways. I did yoga, pottery, photography, listened to live music and even sang alongside one of the musicians. It’s such a good way of relieving stress.
I’ll also always remember spending Christmas with my family and friends in the garden. We loved the warm, heated pods and we’d be in there for hours, just chatting about life and catching up about everything.
After four months at the LSCIC, I returned home to Newcastle. I kept putting lots of time and energy into my rehabilitation and began to look forward to returning to university the following September. I kept myself busy, completing ‘Spring Week’ internships with Bank of America, Goldman Sachs and Rothschild amongst many other extra-curricular pursuits, as well as spending lots of time with my friends in London.
I was so happy when I was well enough to go back to university in September 2023. I threw myself into university life, becoming Finance & Business Editor of Perspectives, the King’s Business School Undergraduate Research Journal, and Co-Head of Investment Banking and Global Markets Events. I’ve also had the opportunity to be a Debate Mate Mentor, mentoring students in underprivileged primary and secondary schools around London, teaching essential debating skills.
Beyond university, I’ve also made the most of so many incredible professional opportunities that have come my way, including most recently as a Group IT Cost Optimisation Summer Analyst at Rolls Royce.
Looking back on everything I’ve managed to accomplish since my injury, I feel a profound sense of gratitude. In the beginning, even small milestones felt daunting, so to have regained so much of my independence and be actively pursuing my passions again is something I cherish. The journey has shown me the strength I never knew I had, and I’ve learned to embrace challenges not as setbacks but as opportunities to grow. I’m especially delighted to have balanced my studies and professional experiences while finding time to give back to the community.
There’s also been a lot of excitement in my personal life, particularly when I was crowned Miss Sunderland in the Miss Great Britain North-East competition! Winning Miss Sunderland was an exciting reminder that I’m more than my injury and that there are still so many opportunities for me to pursue.
I went on to appear in The Miss Great Britain final in late October, which I was so excited about, not just because it was a chance to represent my region, but also because it was a platform for me to share my story and advocate for causes close to my heart. My transition from a hospital to the stage felt surreal. Whilst I didn’t win, I had an absolutely amazing time. I loved meeting the other aspiring contestants and challenging myself in new ways. The whole experience was truly unforgettable and I’m so grateful to have been part of it.
Besides this, I always said when I left hospital that I would continue supporting the charity. I was so happy to become Vice Chair of the Horatio’s Garden Young Committee and help the team by supporting fundraising ventures, organising brilliant events like our Quiz Night in October which raised over £3,400, and volunteering at RHS Chelsea Flower Show. I’m also speaking at this year’s carol concert in London, which will be such a special occasion.
Being part of the Young Committee means so much to me because I understand firsthand how crucial spaces like Horatio’s Garden are for recovery. It’s about more than just fundraising; it’s about creating an environment where people can find moments of peace and joy during difficult times. Volunteering at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show was a fantastic experience; I loved connecting with people and sharing how transformative the garden has been in my journey to recovery. It’s fulfilling to give back to a cause that supported me when I needed it most, and I’m excited to continue working towards making a positive impact.
Horatio’s Garden has made a huge difference to me and I’m sure it will continue to make a huge difference for people like me. It’s an amazing charity and I hope to keep contributing to it in as many ways as I can.
