Background
The client is male who sustained a C6 incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) during a rugby game at age 18. The injury resulted in limited functionality in his hands and regular urinary tract infections. When referred for vocational rehabilitation, the client was experiencing significant challenges with his mood, including anxiety, depression, and symptoms of PTSD, which led to social withdrawal and a lack of independence. He also had a 24 hour care package.
Although he had completed his A-Levels, a previous attempt at university was unsuccessful, resulting in him dropping out. While he had no prior paid work experience, he was volunteering one day a month as a wheelchair skills trainer for a charity and maintained a strong interest in sport.
Vocational Approach
Spencer’s strategy focused on building a sustainable foundation for vocational activity. He began with interdisciplinary collaboration, arranging a joint session with the client and his psychologist to ensure that the psychological and emotional aspects of his recovery were aligned with his vocational goals. We set achievable six-month targets aimed at improving his confidence and increasing his social interactions through meaningful activities.
Recognising his lack of paid experience, Spencer leveraged his passion for sport, and sourced a new opportunity for him to volunteer two half days per week with a local sports partnership. Spencer’s role was to set up and coordinate the placement and provide ongoing support and liaise with the company to ensure a supportive environment with significant reasonable adjustments to his role.
The Outcome
The strategy proved successful. The company recognised the clients’ potential and offered him a four-year workplace business degree, allowing him to work and study simultaneously. Over the course of several months Spencer helped the client gradually increase his hours alongside advice and guidance from his therapists and implementation of fatigue management strategies. He is now employed three days a week, attends university lectures two days a week, earns a salary, and gains invaluable experience.
Working closely with the employer and the university, we secured a number of crucial reasonable adjustments to support his progress, including:
• Extra time during exams and the use of a scribe.
• Wheelchair-accessible rooms and desks.
• Additional breaks and assistive technology.
• Recorded lectures in case of absence.
• Support workers for additional assistance.
An Access to Work referral also secured funding for essential equipment like laptops and trackpads. For the first time since his injury, the client reports that he feels a profound sense of purpose and can envision a clear future.