Am I too disabled to ride at the riding for the disabled (RDA)??

Well it been just over a week since my last entry and the question above has given me highs, lows tears and tantrums!!!!. Let me go back to the beginning.

As I mentioned in the last entry, whilst been a patient at Salisbury spinal unit I attended the Wilton branch of the RDA (Riding for disabled adults) on 3 occasions. Initially I just wanted a fix!!! Just that smell, I missed it so much. I went with the Therapy coordinator from the ward, and obviously the day out did involve a pub lunch too!!!! But meeting the staff and horses on the 15^th of February 2016 just 4 months after my accident, I was in my element. On the two other occasions I went with my daughter Stella, who has found the whole life changing situation very difficult, especially as we use to spend so much time together at the yard.( As everyone knows  people who have horses they take up a lot of time!! But we love it…..)

Being back in the horse environment I knew it felt like something inside me was missing, I know!!!! I am missing my ability to walk, but my heart still missed being around these amazing animals. The team at Wilton RDA were so enthusiastic and encouraging about the opportunities to ride again I knew it was going to be possible (or so I thought) so from this time my drive and determination kicked in. Oh boy am I glad I have drive and determination or I would have given up the dream before it even started.

Once back on the ward and pushing to get home as soon as possible, I was eventually discharged in March just after 11 weeks rehabilitation The words of encouragement from the staff at Wilton and my spinal consultant sort of saying/suggesting I had to wait at least a year post injury before you ride I made an appointment to go to the RDA in Bristol and look round, I couldn’t wait. The day finally came when I was invited to go and look round and my friend and my physio came with me.

On the 12^th may we went and the whole establishment and set up in Bristol was is fantastic, they have a horse simulator with the hoist facility so I would be able to get on, the stables and arena are amazing , the work they do in helping with rehabilitation is fantastic. We were given the grand tour and I filled all the forms in. Both my friend and physio had the pleasure of riding the simulator, jealous wasn’t the word, I just wanted to push them off and get on!! It was very difficult emotionally for me to cope with. This place was like utopia to me!!! Then came the bomb shell. It’s like feeding a carrot to a horse on a stick, leading him to it and when he gets close it moves away!!! I needed 2 letters from each of my consultants giving me permission to ride and that I will be safe riding or I can’t ride there, not even on the simulator…. Due to the insurance.

Well I knew my spinal consultant had said to me wait a year, and as it was only May I thought I need to uses this time to go to the gym, strengthen my core and do as much as possible to make me as strong and stable as I can, so I left it till August/September and I wrote to both my consultants asking for them to support me in my passion of riding. I sent letters with evidence to show what I’ve been up to, in the gym, attending the spinal games and generally setting up all the ground work.

Well I was over the moon to have phone call from the Neuro surgical consultant, who was so encouraging and interested to hear about my achievements so far and said some people don’t achieve in a life time what I had done in just 6 months while being home. He said he couldn’t wait to support me and that the operation he performed meant my back was stable and not going anywhere!!! He couldn’t comment on my balance or present state of health as he hadn’t seen me since I left Southmead in December 2015 but he said he would write a letter on my behalf positivity supporting this venture. I was so grateful and forwarded the letter on to the RDA in Bristol.

I waited and waited and waited for a reply from my spinal consultant, I contacted various contacts I had in the spinal unit and asked if they could email her, I contacted her secretary to chase up the letter and I waited some more.

During the waiting period, there was a large article in the SIA (spinal injuries association ) magazine all about the benefits of riding for spinal injured people, and they had used the stories of spinal injured individuals to sing the praises of the RDA…. I was so excited I was right on edge…

Then after 7 weeks I finally got the letter I was waiting for. Under NO circumstances does the consultant support any activities related to horse riding “BECAUSE OF THE RISK ******!!!! A two line letter, I was absolutely gutted. No reason as to an explanation, and once the RDA at Bristol had that letter… the door was slammed closed. I am officially too disabled to ride at the riding for the disabled!!!! (RDA).

I was knocked down, devastated, my whole dream taken away by a consultant that wants me to take up dominos…. Oh well those that know me, let’s just say I didn’t stay down for long…

www.rda.org.uk

www.spinal.co.uk

Introduction

Hi my name is Sallyanne, I am a 43 year old mother of two amazing children Harry 15 and Stella 13. I have decided to write a blog of my life over the past 12 months, my injury and Journey of dreams, riding for the British dressage para team.

Back on the 10^th of October 2015 while attending an organised rally day with Severn vale riding club was when my life as I knew it changed forever. I was enjoying riding my horse “Greyhill  Oublie”  Oubles, as she was known! At the riding club day camp, this involved structured teaching in flat work, show jumping, sessions on horse health and massage. The afternoon was spent doing cross country.

About 2.30 in the afternoon, 1/3 of the way round the cross country course, my horse Oubles refused one of the fences, I approached again more aggressive this time and she reared up, unfortunately for us we were on a slope and she fell over backwards on top of me. I didn’t fall off and stayed sat in the saddle!!!! “Ouch” I can tell you it hurts having half a tone horse weight fall on you.

It was then when I realised it wasn’t good. I was in a white tunnel,  I had an overwhelming feeling to go back, my children needed a mum  I  thought I didn’t want to die in a field. My mum (who had passed away 4 years previously!!!) told me to go back and be a mum; your children need you she said! When I came round I was lying on the floor and the pain I was in was unbelievable. I was able to talk and tell my friend who was with me, I needed and ambulance/air ambulance very quickly. It took ages for the ambulance to attend and when it arrived everything still seemed to me to be going in slow motion.

I remember saying to the paramedic “please don’t cut off my ariat boots!!!” your boots or your life he probably thought!!! I am a nurse of 20 years by profession, so being on the other side of health care was quite scary. The Great western air ambulance attended to take over and I knew things didn’t look good. I couldn’t move or feel my legs!!!  

There were 3 doctors on board that day and I will never forget Greg, who held my hand all the way and the reassurance he gave me was amazing. After 15mg of IV morphine things were a little more comfortable. The last time I was in a helicopter I was in Las Vegas flying over the Grand Canyon!! Not so exciting this time lying flat on a spinal board with a neck collar. Unable to move, just looking up little did I know this would be the position I would stay in for 8 weeks.

On arrival at Southmead hospital the A&E major trauma team were waiting, and following assessment, x-rays, MRI and lots of poking and prodding. My Family were taken into the visitor’s room and given the worst news possible. I wasn’t going to die but life was never going to be the same again. I had broken my back from T12-L2, and had a complete spinal cord injury at L1. Also broken ribs and facial trauma. The broken ribs, facial trauma would heal, the broken back needed emergency surgery but the spinal cord damage was going to leave me paralysed from the waist down for ever.

The consultant neuro surgeon Mr Patel was the most amazing gentleman I’ve had the pleasure to meet. Shame we had to meet in these circumstances. Well he did what he promised which was stabilising my back! I had an emergency 7 hour operation. This resulted in major surgery and 6 weeks flat bed rest. It’s very difficult to eat and drink lying flat on your back. A drastic way to lose weight!!! But could lose a few pounds….  Well let’s just say being a patient is difficult when you’re a nurse! I remember once shouting go and get someone who knows what they are doing. The worst bit was not being asked if you want your teeth brushing!!.

 Well let’s just say I met some amazing doctors and nurses and some not so amazing. The next 6 weeks went in a bit of a blur and I was told I would be on the waiting list to be sent to Salisbury spinal unit. I spent a total of 9 weeks at Southmead hospital. By which time the physio team were sitting me up and working towards sitting me out of bed. I actually had to learn to sit up again. I had no control and was like a weeble….. I couldn’t believe what had happened to me. It was so scary being hoisted out into a wheel chair and not being able to sit.

Then I got the news I was waiting for … a bed Salisbury spinal unit. I was really looking forward to being transferred as the doctors and spinal nurse specialist had made it sound like utopia. When I get to Salisbury everything was going to be amazing…. Well after a 3 hour journey on Friday 11^th December I arrived at Salisbury spinal unit. Oh dear utopia it wasn’t……. let’s just say it was a very dark Christmas, thank god for amazing friends and family who kept my spirits up.

My main focus was to get home ASAP. I asked the consultant what I had to do to get out of here???? That probably didn’t go down that well as I don’t think she liked my direct approach!! As well as saying I haven’t come here to make f**king Christmas cards, I was promised individualised care with intense rehabilitation, this is not my idea of state of the art spinal rehab. Well I had no choice but to get on with it…let’s just say I cried a lot.

The next 11 weeks were extremely difficult, relearning how to live in a wheelchair, be independent with the bladder and bowel management and trying not to lose my mind. Once I had made some friends and we had an established cheese and wine night, things got a little bit more bearable. The special people you meet in a place like this makes you actually appreciate what you can do… Thank god for Mark and the pub trips, we had a right laugh and the pole dancing certainly was something to remember….  These friends will be friend for life!! A bit like this bloody spinal injury! I can’t change it so best embrace it.

While at Salisbury I went to Wilton RDA (Riding for disabled adult) three times, to get my fix of smelling horses, the staff there were fantastic and really encouraging about the possibility of me riding again.  I spoke to the consultant and she advised waiting for at least a year post injury, with this in mind I had a goal.

The main aim of this blog is to describe my trials and tribulations of coping with my spinal injury and my goal of getting back up on the horse. I will update the blog with the ups and downs on this journey. Some things have already happened and are in the past, but still interesting, so will just go with it….

Thanks for taking an interest in my journey

Sallyanne