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Podcast Series 1

Life After A Spinal Cord Injury

Podcast Series 1

David Holmes, Arron Williams and Chris Yeates are all between levels C5 to C7 Tetraplegics and experienced how life could change in a day. They agree that, some of the best advice and best therapy they’ve received since their accidents, was and still is, from each other and other people with spinal cord injuries, which was the inspiration behind Life After A Spinal Cord Injury. They understand that everyone with a spinal cord injury deals with their recovery in a different way and hope that their advice and positive attitudes will help people going through similar experiences. We hope you enjoying listening to them as much as we all enjoyed recording them.

All statistics used in Life After A Spinal Cord Injury have been sourced from various spinal injury websites and everything discussed is based on personal experiences and opinions, so if any of the subject matters or language (swearing included) offends anyone we apologise in advance. Advised Certificate 18.

Episode 1 - The Beginning

In the first episode you meet David, Arron and Chris and hear their stories, their initial reactions and feelings after their accidents and experiences during their first few weeks in hospital. We hope you enjoy listening. September 2013.

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Episode 2 - Road to Recovery

In episode two David, Arron and Chris discuss adjusting to a different way of life and settling into a new daily routine in hospital, including Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy. We hope you enjoy listening. September 2013.

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Episode 3 - Returning Home

In episode three David, Arron and Chris talk about moving home and how everything had changed. It includes care plans and benefits, adjusting to a new routine, cars and going out in public. We hope you enjoy listening. September 2013.

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Episode 4 - Now and the Future

In the fourth and final episode David, Arron and Chris discuss future medical and technological advances, sport, travel, going on holiday, and their lives now. We hope you enjoy listening. September 2013.

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Life After A Spinal Cord Injury

Podcast Series 2

Life After A Spinal Cord Injury returns with a second series. Arron Williams and Chris Yeates once again join David Holmes and they welcome new guests, Doctor Mark Bacon, Kylie Grimes and Doctor Angela Gall. This series discusses the advances being made and explored at Spinal Research, the science behind the Spinal Cord, as well as spinal cord injuries from a woman's perspective. We hope you enjoy listening to the second series of Life After A Spinal Cord Injury.

All statistics used in Life After A Spinal Cord Injury have been sourced from various spinal injury websites and everything discussed is based on personal experiences and opinions, so if any of the subject matters or language (swearing included) offends anyone we apologise in advance. Advised Certificate 18.

Episode 5 - Spinal Research

In episode five Arron Williams and Chris Yeates once again join David Holmes and they welcome new guest Doctor Mark Bacon, Director of Research at Spinal Research. They discuss Spinal Research and the advances being made and explored as well as the science behind the Spinal Cord and what happens to it when it becomes injured and the effect this has throughout the body. October 2014.

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Episode 6 - Ladies with Spinal Cord Injuries

Only 20% of Spinal Injuries are women. In episode six fellow Appeal Ambassador and Olympic Wheelchair Rugby Player, Kylie Grimes and Doctor Angela Gall, a Consultant at the London Spinal Cord Injury Centre join David Holmes to discuss Spinal Cord Injuries through a woman’s perspective as well as the new development plans for the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore. October 2014.

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Meet the Cast

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David Holmes

David began gymnastics when he was 6 years old and between the ages of 8 to 16 he regularly competed in Gymnastics Competitions, representing his Club, South Essex Gymnastics and Britain. At the young age of 14, he began his career as a Stunt Performer and for the next 10 years he performed Stunts on many productions and qualified for the Stunt Register. Then in January 2009, at the age of 25, David was left paralysed after an accident on set whilst rehearsing a stunt, after David had his accident he was based in the Stanmore Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH) for 6 months, David was diagnosed as a level C6/7 Tetraplegic and in July 2009 he moved back to his home. David is now an Appeal Ambassador for the RNOH and is also involved in fundraising events for the RNOH. Written September 2013.

Life After a Spinal Cord Injury Series 1 & 2, Episodes 1 - 6

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Arron Williams

Growing up Arron was an outgoing individual and his two main passions in life were playing rugby and motorbikes. He enjoyed Motocross and had a job at a Go-Kart Track, which is where he first met Chris. Arron joined the Police Force in 2003 becoming a 'response and patrol' police officer for Essex Police. Then in September 2007, whilst playing rugby for Bailsdon Rugby Club Arron was involved in a tackle that resulted in a broken neck, he was based in the Stoke Mandeville Spinal Unit and diagnosed as a C5/6 Tetraplegic. After 9 months he moved into a new home in Essex and in 2009 returned to work with the Police Force and even though his role has slightly changed he loves to still be part of his team. Arron now lives happily with his girlfriend Libby and dog Scooby and has continued with his love for motorsports and Go-Karting and still has his competitive drive and positive outlook on life. Written September 2013.

Life After a Spinal Cord Injury Series 1 & 2, Episodes 1 - 5

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Chris Yeates

Chris had an active childhood and was always outside playing sport and competing with his older brother. As he grew up he developed a passion for motorsports and regularly enjoyed riding his motorbike and racing round in Go-Karts. Chris did well in school and college and was progressing in a promising career within railway maintenance. Then in February 2006 when travelling home after a night shift Chris fell asleep at the wheel of his car and crashed into the back of a lorry, which resulted in a broken neck. After his accident he was based in the Stoke Mandeville Spinal Unit and was diagnosed as a C6 Tetraplegic and after 14 months in hospital Chris moved into a new home with his partner and still has his determination and positive approach to life. In 2012 Chris married his lovely wife Toni, has continued with his motorsports and has taken up rowing. He’s now looking forward to starting a new career and enjoying life. Written September 2013.

Life After a Spinal Cord Injury Series 1 & 2, Episodes 1 - 5

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Dr Mark Bacon

Life After a Spinal cord injury, Series 2, Episode 5

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Kylie Grimes

Kylie was an aspiring horse rider from a young age and has always loved sport. In August 2006 when she was only 18, she became injured after diving into a swimming pool at a party. After her accident she was based at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH) for 5 months and was diagnosed as a C6 Complete Tetraplegic. Straight away Kylie knew that she wanted to continue playing sport and after watching her first game of Wheelchair Rugby she knew it was the sport for her and after two years of training she became a member of GB Team. At the London Olympics 2012, Kylie was the only female member of the Paralympics GB Wheelchair Rugby team, who finished 5th place in the competition. She also enjoys athletics and still horse rides. In November 2013 Kylie had the honour of becoming an Appeal Ambassador for the RNOH and is looking forward to some charity fundraising with David. Written October 2014

Life After a Spinal cord Injury, Series 2, Episode 6

JOB TITLE: Consultant, London Spinal Cord Injury Centre

JOB TITLE: Consultant, London Spinal Cord Injury Centre

Dr Angela Gall

Dr Gall FRCP graduated from University of Aberdeen and following specialty training in Aberdeen, Oswestry and Australia, became Consultant in the London Spinal Cord Injury Centre in 2002. She has a wide range of clinical interests including SCI in children, spasticity management, upper limb function and health and fitness after SCI. Dr Gall has been involved as a clinician in many national and international projects. Dr Gall is the clinical research lead for the London centre and is/has been involved with research projects on bone health, clinical applications of functional electrical stimulation and is increasingly participating in collaborative research projects and developing clinical research within the multidisciplinary team. Text taken from RNOH Website - October 2014

Life After a Spinal cord Injury, Series 2, Episode 6


LASCI Series 1 Crew

Produced by: David Holmes & Amy Stares
Sound Recordists: Gary Dodkin
Editor: Lloyd Dudley
Photographer: Laurent Guinci

LASCI Series 2 Crew

Produced by: David Holmes & Amy Stares
Sound Recordist: Gary Dodkin
Editor: Alan Mac Feely
Photographer: Craig Topham

We would like to thank everyone involved in Life After A Spinal Cord Injury, Podcast Series