Ben was just 18 when he was paralysed, and a talented sportsman. He represented his school in rugby, volley ball, soccer, running and field athletics. Deciding to focus on rugby he had joined a rugby football academy and was due to have his first professional team try out. The spinal cord injury, unfortunately, put an end to what could have been a fantastic sporting career.

The level and type of Ben’s spinal cord injury means he suffers from autonomic dysreflexia, which can be life-threatening, and muscle spasms in his legs. He was on anti-spasm medication to manage this, but it made him drowsy, interfering with studies and daily life. Now, he manages the spasms and pain by doing daily stretching and passive leg exercise.

After the surgery and months undergoing rehabilitation, Ben did start to regain some movement in his arms, and some patchy sensation below his injury in his knees and ankles. He also has feeling in areas of his torso, but he cannot control his bladder and bowel and requires catheters and enemas to manage these respectively.