Summer Courses
"Going on a Back-Up course had a huge impact on every area of my life"
Andy Walker sustained a C4/C5 spinal cord injury four years ago when he dived into a sand bank while on holiday in Goa, India.
"I’d wanted to do something with Back-Up since I heard about them, not long after my accident. But initially I didn’t want to go on a course because I was too proud to accept a bursary. Eventually I agreed to take one though and went on the sailing course.
"It ended up being a life-changing experience for me and has really had a huge impact on every area of my life. It’s changed my outlook, my relationships, everything. One of the highlights was being the first person to capsize in the lake on a freezing cold day. I wanted to prove that people with my level of injury can still do things. I felt a sense of euphoria doing that, which I hadn’t experienced since before my injury.
"I met so many friends – when you go on a course, it’s like you are becoming part of a community. There is a level playing field: whether you have a spinal cord injury or not – you all muck in. Going on the course also helped me progress on to the next stage of my life and made me realise what I really wanted to do. Now I’ve got a voluntary role working as an advisor for people with complex care needs.
"I was never a shrinking violet, but the course really improved my confidence. I didn’t notice my disability as much afterwards and my friends and family said I was more like my old self. Going on a course is about so much more than just trying a sport – it’s a catalyst for changing your life.”
Interested in participating in our summer courses?
We have been running summer courses for over 15 years specifically for people with spinal cord injury, led by people with spinal cord injury.
Back-Up runs a range of activity days, weekends and residential weeks that cater for both men and women, injuries from L4 to C1 (including those with high care needs) and those ranging from 4 months to 40 years post injury.
‘"The course made me realise that I can achieve so much more than I thought and I met a great bunch of people." Michelle, T12, aged 29
All courses rely on a mix of able bodied volunteers, medical professionals (we provide a carer if you need it and have physio’s and nurses on the majority of our courses) and spinally injured participants to take part in social activities that help develop skills that will stand everyone in good stead back home.
Click here for this summer's course dates.
Courses:
Multi-activity courses
Sailing
Water-skiing courses