“Hobbs Rehabilitation gave me some hope , confidence and made me believe I could do more than I had believed I could.”
Rosey was born with a large arachnoid cyst and had recently been diagnosed with Autism, but neither condition stopped her from living a vibrant and adventurous life. Living in Cornwall offered the perfect blend of a peaceful community and stunning landscapes, both of which she embraced fully. Rosey spent her time riding and caring for her horse at the stables, and surfing on weekends. With the beach just a short trip away, and plenty of space for horse adventures, Cornwall provided everything she needed for her active lifestyle.
The day before her accident, Rosey was surfing like usual at Fistral Bay in Newquay, Cornwall, a popular surfing spot. The following day, however, Rosey’s horse suddenly reared and fell on her while she was at the stables. The accident triggered a severe C5 spinal cord injury, leaving Rosey paralysed from the neck down. This affected her breathing, bowel and bladder control, and limited her movement to her shoulders, wrists, and elbows.
The injury had a profound impact on Rosey’s everyday life. Tasks that once seemed effortless, like getting out of bed, preparing a meal, or even moving around her home, quickly became challenges. Ordinary functions, such as breathing, dressing, eating, and general moving became overwhelming struggles and required assistance. Rosey found herself facing a reality where she could no longer engage in the activities that she once loved and looked forward to. From riding her horse, to surfing and socialising on the beach with her friends, the accident left a deep impact on her everyday life.
In May 2023, Rosey began her intensive rehabilitation with Hobbs Rehabilitation at Oaksey House in Lambourn.
She was treated by a dedicated team of multidisciplinary therapists including Jo, Louise, Sarah, and Becky.
Over the course of two intensive weeks, Rosey’s main focus was regaining some level of independence and building her body strength.
One of Rosey’s main goals was to learn how to push herself into a wheelchair, as she was struggling to do this without help. Concentrating on strengthening her arm muscles and core balance with personalised exercises developed by her physiotherapists, she was able to master transferring onto her wheelchair using a slide board. With persistent effort, and the guidance of her therapists, Rosey began to make some amazing progress in the two weeks that she had with Hobbs Rehabilitation.
The intensive rehabilitation with Hobbs brought many significant changes to Rosey’s life. The support and encouragement from the team empowered her to push beyond her perceived limits and reach plenty of achievements.
Returning home, Rosey continues to improve everyday. She attends college three days a week, with her carers by her side; an incredible achievement which enables her to spend time with her friends and further her educational aspirations. Crossfit and dog walks have become a common outing for Rosey too. Spending the time at Hobbs Rehabilitation to train up her body strength has made it possible for Rosey to be in the outdoors once again, and further her confidence of using her wheelchair.
One of Rosey’s most notable achievements was visiting the beach for the first time since her injury. Embracing the independence and strength she has worked so hard to regain has allowed Rosey to experience her love for the beach, and surfing, once again.
Recently, at the end of 2024, Rosey participated in the WheelPower Inter Spinal Games, an exciting event for people with spinal injuries to have the opportunity to experience a range of hands-on sports, including archery, tennis, and fencing. With the coaching from expert wheelchair sports athletes and coaches across the country, Rosey was able to try out a range of fun and engaging sports, showcasing the massive benefits that sports and physical activity can have on improving her independence.
