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Paralysed horse rider praises rehabilitation staff

BBC Saffron Cresswell stands against a white brick wall wearing a blue shirtBBC
Saffron Cresswell was paralysed after falling from her horse during the Bramham Horse Trials in June

A 23-year-old horse rider who broke her back in a fall at an equestrian event has praised the NHS staff involved in her ongoing care.

Saffron Cresswell, from Worcestershire, was paralysed from the chest down after falling from her horse Vivendi Hero at the Bramham Horse Trials in June.

The international rider underwent surgery at Leeds General Infirmary before being moved to the Yorkshire Regional Spinal Injuries Centre (YRSIC) at Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield.

Ms Cresswell said staff involved in her rehabilitation on the ward had almost become “like family".

The accident happened during the cross-country heats of the under-25s national eventing championships on 8 June.

"When I fell, I instantly knew that something was very wrong, I couldn’t feel my legs," she said.

The rider, who has previously won several European medals, broke her back in two places and damaged her spinal cord.

“I had such a path in my life that I was ready to take - aiming for the Olympics in the future in my sport," she said.

"To have that taken away from you at a young age is a massive thing that people don’t ever wish to experience."

Saffron Cresswell is lying on an exercise mat during a rehabilitation session supported by two women both wearing white nursing uniforms
Ms Cresswell says she was trying to "look forward" as her rehabilitation progresses

Ms Cresswell, from Malvern, said she was focusing on her rehabilitation and staying positive after the life-changing injury.

“It’s so easy to fall into that trap of ‘what happened’ and ‘why did it happen’, but there isn’t an answer," she said.

“You have to try and look forward and say, OK, this is my life now, let’s see what I can do now to change it and turn it around."

The YRSIC is a 34-bed centre with rehabilitation facilities including a gymnasium, hydrotherapy pool and occupational therapy rooms.

About 120 patients from across West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire and the Humber region are admitted each year with spinal cord injuries caused by accidents or medical issues.

Dr Ram Hariharan is pictured in a hospital room being used for a rehabilitation session wearing a blue shirt with an NHS ID around his neck
Dr Ram Hariharan says life does not end with a spinal cord injury

Dr Ram Hariharan, consultant and clinical lead at YRSIC, said: “A spinal cord injury is a life-changing injury, it really affects every system in the body.

"They have to learn literally everything, from being able to do their basic activities of daily living to going out into the community.”

Ms Cresswell is nearing the end of her rehabilitation in hospital and is expecting to be discharged home in October.

She said: "When you've been here so long you sort of end up moving in, you get to know the staff so well and sort of building a family on the ward is a massive part of your rehab."

Dr Hariharan added: “We say we’re altogether in this journey and we’re going to support you through this.

“Life does not end with a spinal cord injury - it is the beginning of a new life, a new normal life.”

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