Teen Paralysed in Swimming Pool Accident Rallies Community for Rehabilitation Funding

Strategic Insights -

Ryan Gibbins, a 17-year-old from Woodbridge, was left paralysed after a diving accident in August 2024. He is now participating in the #TopBinsSmallWins social media challenge to raise funds for Neurokinex Charitable Trust, which provides free rehabilitation sessions at its specialist spinal cord injury centre in Hemel Hempstead. The challenge involves landing a shot into a bin from a distance and around an obstacle, with the goal of raising money to maintain the free sessions. Ryan's family has been raising funds for his rehabilitation, with a friend's mum running a marathon and his mum contributing to the cause.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ryan Gibbins, 17, from Woodbridge, was paralysed after a diving accident in August 2024, which left him with a fractured C4 vertebra and dislocated C5 in his neck.
  • He received 11 weeks of treatment at Ipswich Hospital and additional months of rehabilitation at Stoke Mandeville before being offered free sessions at Neurokinex in June 2024.
  • Neurokinex has provided "immediate improvements" in Ryan's condition, with his trainers Catarina and Zac helping him to see more improvement than expected.
  • The #TopBinsSmallWins challenge aims to raise money to maintain the free sessions at Neurokinex, which relies on donations to safeguard the Step Up Scheme.
  • Ryan's family faces an ongoing battle to fund his rehabilitation, with his mum Kim Edwards saying that the NHS "simply doesn't have the resources or approach" that Neurokinex offers.
  • The public can donate to Neurokinex by visiting https://donate.neurokinex.org/donate.

Statistics:

  • Ryan Gibbins received 11 weeks of treatment at Ipswich Hospital following his diving accident.
  • He spent subsequent months undergoing rehabilitation at Stoke Mandeville before joining Neurokinex.
  • The #TopBinsSmallWins challenge aims to raise money to maintain the free sessions at Neurokinex, which provides immediate improvements in Ryan's condition.
  • Ryan's mum Kim Edwards has contributed to raising funds for his rehabilitation, with a friend's mum running a marathon to help support the cause.

Sources:

  • "Woodbridge teen had to cope with father's sudden death" ( Exact source not mentioned)
  • "Woodbridge teen wants to raise money to keep the free sessions offered by Neurokinex" (Article name not mentioned)
  • "Ryan Gibbins, 17, from Woodbridge, is taking on Neurokinex Charitable Trust's annual Step Up Challenge, this year called #TopBinsSmallWins" (Article name not mentioned)
  • "The Farlingaye High School pupil added: 'Neurokinex has helped me so much and in so many ways and I'm lucky to have found this facility as there are just not the resources available for continuing rehabilitation on the NHS for someone in my situation.'" (Source not mentioned)
  • "Kim said: 'The NHS simply doesn't have the resources or approach that Neurokinex offers.'" (Source not mentioned)
  • "To donate to Neurokinex, visit https://donate.neurokinex.org/donate"