Spinal cord injury in the military webinar series: A different rehab journey to most
It is well known that sustaining a spinal cord injury is life changing. However, when we speak with service personnel and veterans who have suffered spinal injury, it has often struck us that the rehab journey for those in service is very different.
Coming to terms with a spinal cord injury, accessing rehab and transitioning from military to civilian life brings many unique challenges. Quite often, the biggest challenge is knowing where to start looking for information on what support is available to guide injured personnel through the process that ensues, at the same time as coming to terms with the injury itself.
Gaggan Mawi in our Military Claims Team and Rhiannon Daniel in our Spinal Injury team therefore started the conversation in a series of webinars about some of the important issues we come across, alongside our colleagues at the Spinal Injuries Association, experts in psychiatry and employment, and veterans who have suffered SCI.
Rehabilitation with Lady-Marie Dawson and Kevin Ogilvie from the SIA
Lady-Marie was a physical training instructor in the British Army and mother to a six-month-old daughter when she was injured in a domestic violence incident, sustaining a C5 complete spinal cord injury.
Kevin served in the RAF from the age of 18. He was injured three weeks before the end of his second tour of duty to Afghanistan as a result of an IED explosion, causing him to suffer a complete spinal cord injury at level T6 and multiple fractures.
Lady-Marie and Kevin talk Rhiannon and Gaggan through their respective rehabilitation journeys and their experiences with finding accommodation and equipment suitable to their needs. They also discuss their transition to civilian life, and the support they received from the military and other charities/organisations with adaptations, equipment, and obtaining financial support/compensation for their injuries.
The recording can be watched below.
Mental Health and SCI with Professor John Morgan, Consultant Psychiatrist
Professor John Morgan is a Consultant Psychiatrist specialising in Adult Psychiatry. He has extensive experience in treating those who have been injured, and looks at the impact that a life changing injury such as Spinal Cord Injury may have upon the mental health of those in service.
He discusses the importance of good rehabilitation, and the other factors which play a role in managing mental health following injury. He also highlights some of the signs an individual ought to seek medical advice for, and the roles that professional, family and peer support can play in helping those who are facing challenges with their mental health after an SCI.
The recording can be watched below.
Employment Issues with Gary Craggs of DJ Fox Associates and Malcolm Rose
Gary Craggs talks to us about the Defence Recovery Capability which operates separately to the rehabilitation process, the discharge process, vocational rehabilitation prior to discharge, support with employment from the military which is available post discharge, and some practical considerations for SCI personnel/veterans.
Malcolm served in the RAF for 30 years as an air traffic controller. He was also an elite triathlete, competing in GB and world championships. He suffered a complete spinal injury at T5/T6 as a result of a road traffic accident. Malcolm talks to us about his lived experience following his injury including the support he received from the military when considering employment following his medical discharge from the RAF.
The recording can be watched below.
Practical Advice Round Table Discussion with Gary Dawson and Steve Brookes of the SIA
Gaggan and Rhiannon talk to Gary and Steve about some of the key areas where service personnel who suffer an SCI need support. As the topic is so vast, the discussion looked at:
- Financial compensation from legal claims and non-fault based compensation available from the AFCS/War Pension Scheme, PAX Insurance
- Recovery and resettlement and grants
- Military and civilian charities
- Support with the adjustment period after discharge from hospital
- Support with applying for grants for aids and equipment such as wheelchair
- Life after injury – accessing support with finding accessible sports and activities.
The recording can be watched below.
If you are a member of the armed forces or a veteran, and are looking for further information on the support available to you, take a look at our Veterans’ Resettlement Hub which provides guidance on some of the key questions that arise following injury.
Our military team has extensive experience of supporting clients with spinal cord injury. If you would like to speak to one of our specialist solicitors, please contact using the form below.
