The Rooprai Spinal Trust makes a huge difference to those who have suffered life changing injury. Here is how:

The story of.The Rooprai Spinal Trust:

Life can change in the blink of an eye.

And no-one knows that more than Marrianne Rooprai.

An ambitious 27-year-old, she had just started her own hospitality business in Hertfordshire with her partner Andy after spending the previous 12 months travelling the world, making contacts at some of the top sporting events. It was the summer of 2004 and she was on the threshold of a bright and exciting future. Life couldn’t get any better…

But it was about to get a whole lot worse.

In June she went to a friend’s wedding with her sister. She had a lovely time celebrating with the newly wed couple, dancing and toasting their future happiness.

But, travelling home with her sister and friends, the world turned black for this fun-loving and bubbly young woman.

Their car was involved in an accident that left Marrianne in intensive care, fighting for her life.

She had fractured a vertebra at the top of her spine (C2) and crushed two others (C3/C4). As she fought for her life, clinically dying on three occasions, the heartbreaking news was delivered to Andy and her family that even if she survived, she would be permanently paralysed from her shoulders down.

Nine days after that fateful night, Marrianne was transferred to The Osborn Spinal Unit in Sheffield. She was put on traction and appeared settled.

But a fortnight later, there was more bad news as a crash team was summoned urgently. A life-saving procedure was carried out at her bedside and she was rushed to intensive care. She was put on a ventilator to aid her breathing and her family could only watch and pray.

Less than a month later, Marrianne surprised everyone, including the medical team, by breathing without help and, a week later, just after she turned 28, the traction was taken off.

These milestones were significant on her road to recovery. She was no longer tethered to a machine and without the traction she could start to slowly sit up. It was a long and painful path, but just one month later came another massive turning point when she was able to get out of her bed and into a wheelchair.

It was a bittersweet moment as she saw the wheelchair for the first time and appreciated what it meant for her life moving forward. But Marrianne had proved herself a fighter and she faced this new challenge with her trademark smile.

Able to take back some control, Marrianne threw herself into her recovery and visited the physio and occupational therapy rooms at every opportunity to push herself and her body.

Seven months after the crash, Marrianne was eventually able to leave the hospital to continue her recovery in more comfortable and familiar surroundings.

Her smile had never been far from her face despite the gruelling and traumatic time she had endured. She touched so many people along the way with her brave approach to a new life. And through the work of The Rooprai Spinal Trust she has continued to do so.

The benefits of activity based physiotherapy post spinal cord injury are well documented. Physically active individuals with SCI reduce the risk of secondary issues such as respiratory illness, pressure sores and urinary tract infections. Having professional help from an experienced neuro physio can manage problems such as spasticity, chronic pain and weight gain. There’s also things like preventing bone density deterioration and muscle wastage to consider.

In addition to the physical benefits above there are also huge phycological gains to be had. Just ask Marrianne. Setting goals and seeing progress in the gym have been life changing for Marrianne. Dedication and opportunity are key.

THE RST PHYSIOTHERAPY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME

Whilst you don’t have to be as dedicated as an Olympic athlete to reap the benefits of good physiotherapy, having the opportunity to learn how to look after your body post paralysis is crucial. Unfortunately the cost associated with long term physiotherapy is a massive hurdle for many.

The RST scholarship programme is designed to help individuals with SCI, living in the UK, access activity based physio. It’s designed to give some help and guidance to those facing up to the life changing paralysis.

RSR Short term plan – a short term programme for individuals who live too far away to visit weekly. The course is designed to give some guidance and input to take away and work on at home. We have had short term scholars visit from all over the UK.

Long term – The long term programme is designed to help individuals access Physio weekly, long term.

The RST makes a huge difference to those without direction after suffering lifechanging injury.

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