SPINALLIFE

They moved me into position above the wheelchair and started to lower me.

I was surprised when I realised I was sitting in the chair. There had been no sensation of making contact, no awareness of touching down. It was strange experiencing a total lack of connection between my body and my surroundings. I was feeling more disabled by the minute.

This was my first time facing the world from a wheelchair. To be perfectly honest, I can't remember how I felt at the time. I'd like to think I was relieved at the progress I was making but it is more likely I was too scared. I can promise anyone going through something similar that there is no need to be scared. It gets better. Every time gets that little bit easier.

We couldn't move far from ICU but I visited the lounge and saw where my family and friends had spent so much time over the last couple of months. I will never forget the feeling of being pushed down the corridor.

A neck brace held my head rigid and straight, not an inch of give up or down or left and right. My eyes darted from one side to the other trying to take in my surroundings.

I felt like a floating head. I was missing from the neck down.

My body was just a prop for my head to sit on. Almost dreamlike, my head was floating through the corridors.This was my introduction to facing life from a wheelchair and I knew it would take a long time to adapt.

I wish I had been mentally prepared for that first experience as a floating head. There is so much time and money invested in physical rehabilitation, some people need a similar investment to help face their psychological battle. It can be just as important and just as challenging. Over the years I have slowly realised there is always support available but sometimes I need to be strong enough to look for it.