Physical Activity Advisor – Sheffield
Andy is the Physical Activity Advisor at the Princess Royal Spinal Cord Injuries Centre in Sheffield working alongside physiotherapists to introduce and encourage newly injured and previous patients to take part in different activities and sports.
Andy is 34 years old and became paralysed at the age of 29 as a result of a motorbike accident in March of 2017. The spinal cord injury that he sustained is at the C6 -C7 level, meaning that he has full arm function, but very limited hand or finger function and no movement or sensation from his collarbone down.
"In the six years I have spent in a wheelchair I have adapted a typical style house and am now in the process of adapting a bungalow. I have become a telephone mentor for newly injured spinal patients with the charity Back Up. I have completed several accessible track days at racing circuits such as Donnington Park and Silverstone, as well as completing a rally driving day with the charity, Spinal Track. I have been water skiing with Access Adventures, played wheelchair rugby with Leicester Tigers, been indoor skydiving, sit skiing at the snow dome in Tamworth and most recently, I completed a flying scholarship with Aerobility. Learning the basics of flying all the way up to controlling the aircraft unassisted. All with no hand function!"
Since his accident and after receiving so much support from clubs, charities and the NHS he’s now ready to give back. Andy works on a Tuesday at the Princess Royal Spinal Unit which is part of the Northern General Hospital, Sheffield. He also runs patient education sessions, a wheelchair skills session and a sports session every Tuesday, as well as visiting the spinal wards to talk to patients at their bedside.
