Since sustaining a C4 spinal cord injury 8 years ago, Danny was looking for new avenues of rehab following returning to home and being supported by the charity Regain, as he was struggling. Regain help tetraplegics live independent lives supporting mobility, communication, families and carers and exploring educational and employment opportunities.
Danny, his mum and two PA’s, travelled from Scotland to Hobbs Chedington in Dorset in July 2025. He wanted to explore new ways of support, trial new experiences, plus explore his pain and 24-hour management to help implement strategies at home, whilst improving his motivation and psychosocial state. Being limited by pain and discomfort and not being aware of activities he was able to do that he enjoys, Chedington was the perfect place to achieve these goals, especially with his Mum by his side in a brand new setting.
●Pain throughout body, particularly buttocks, shoulders, neck and arms
●Decreased range of movement at shoulders limited by pain
●Difficulty directing PA’s to support repositioning in his wheelchair
●Difficulty standing in tilt table, limited by blood pressure and discomfort
●Difficulty finding activities he enjoyed in daily life and having time to do
●Full Head and Neck movement, although limited by pain
●Able to shoulder shrug, although limited by pain and discomfort
●Decreased range of motion in shoulders, limited by pain
●Chin-controlled power wheelchair user
●1 week intensive
●Physiotherapy (posture, pain and stretching)
●Activities including mouth painting, gardening, equine therapy and a beach trip
●Weekend trips with Chedington Estate staff to a local botanical garden and a visit to Chedington’s own pub!
●Posture and seating review to adjust for more postural support to support shoulder positioning and taught carers how to manually handle his shoulders for pain relief
●Discussed pressure cushions to support pressure relief to reduce frequency of repositioning required, with key contacts provided to implement at home
●Taught and videoed repositioning in wheelchair with carers using slide sheets to support his 24-hr management, breathing dynamics and ease its difficulty than normal, alongside helping with pressure and pain relief
●Taught, videoed and modified his stretching programme in supine and sitting/stretching onto bed in front to allow for improved breathing positions, stretch of upper traps and allow for better personal hygiene and putting on/off clothes with decreased pain
●Successful standing trial in an Easystand Evolve XT to support range of movement, cardiovascular health, bowel routine, bone density, and psychological health, with contacts provided to explore implementing at home
●Trialled a Vigo headset off-road chin control wheelchair using chest harness which he could access the countryside grounds independently, including different terrains and inclines/declines
●First time sitting under a table for meal times and mouth painting, exploring different brush set-ups for variations in strokes and mixing different colours on a palette. Although not finishing his painting, he was determined he would continue at home
●Able to use Promove sling to allow for transferring when a sling hoist not available
●Visited Chedington Equestrian’s horses with his Mum, carers and Hobbs staff for some mindfulness and psychological calming. Especially with his Mum
●Taken to the beach for the first time in a number of years, and hoisted onto a beanbag to have his feet in the sand and enjoy an ice-cream with his Mum, carers and 2 Hobbs staff!
●Developed skills to help direct and support carers in repositioning in the wheelchair, and in bed
●Developed skills to help direct and support carers during his stretching programme and personal care
●Able to stand in Easystand standing frame
●Able to mouth-paint and mix colours on a palette for extended periods
●Improved shoulder range of movement allowed for better personal hygiene and putting on/off clothing
“From the moment we arrived – myself, my mum, Carol and Monika – it felt like something meaningful was about to happen. And it did. You didn’t just provide care, you gave us time, respect, opportunity, and space to grow – physically and mentally”
“You showed me that life after injury doesn’t have to be about fear or holding back. It can be about pushing forward, connecting, challenging myself, and being useful again – especially to others in similar situations”
“Your motivation, skill , and energy made the whole week. You gave me tools I can take home – all of it’s already making a difference. I’m glad you pushed me. I’m glad you didn’t listen to the hesitation. I needed that push, and I won’t forget it”
“Watching my Mum relax and enjoy herself – that meant the world. She’s given everything to support me, and seeing her get something back made it all the more special”
“This week has changed me. It really has. You’ve helped me find a different way of seeing the road ahead – not with dread or doubt, but with a bit of fire again. With resilience, purpose, and a reason to push forward. And most of all, you reminded me I’m not alone. I’m part of something”
