Spinal injury study gives hope to Bedfordshire farmer
Sarra Wlison and daughter Isla © Sarra Wilson A Bedfordshire farmer, paralysed after a horse-riding accident, has gained a new hope for recovery after participating in a breakthrough spinal cord trial.
In September 2018, Sarra Wilson’s life changed dramatically when she was thrown from her horse on her 200ha family farm in Houghton Conquest.
The incident, triggered by a spooked pheasant, caused her to break her neck in a gap between her body protector and helmet, leaving her paralysed from the chest down.
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Despite being conscious throughout, she was unable to move and was lying on the ground for over an hour until a three-year-old girl alerted help.
Mother to three young children at the time, Sarra described her experience: “I was conscious the whole time, but just couldn’t move. It was the most surreal and frightening experience.”
After two months in hospital and 16 months at the National Spinal Injuries Centre in Stoke Mandeville, she returned to the family farm.
Research project
Sarra was one of 10 participants in a year-long pilot study called Pathfinder2, funded by Spinal Research.
The trial, which combined external spinal cord stimulation with activity-based rehabilitation, resulted in significant improvements in Sarra’s upper body strength, hand grip, core balance, and tricep function.
“I wanted to be able to drink a hot drink from a normal cup without a straw, to be on my own and able to have a cuppa,” said the 39-year-old, who runs the farm with her husband Adam.
“Now I can use a knife and fork and manage a plate, which has made such a difference to my day-to-day life, to my independence and confidence.”
Breakthrough
The trial’s results have been hailed as a breakthrough in spinal injury treatment.
Importantly, the improvements did not plateau after a year, indicating long-term benefits.
Tara Stewart, chairwoman of the study, said that although the therapy is not a silver bullet, it’s now time to stop talking about spinal cord injury as being incurable.
She added that, with proper investment, significant progress towards a cure could be made in the next five to seven years.