HCPC-registered Occupational Therapy and accredited Psychological Therapies, offered alongside separate holistic wellbeing support.

We were on a holiday cruise to Norway, our first cruise ever and our first time in Norway. I have to say that cruise ships are not for me, but we made the most of it and that’s another story. This was the last day at port in a large town called Kristiansand. We had nothing booked, so headed towards the harbour and old fort which was quite a brisk walk. As we were heading back, there was a piece of uneven cobbled ground and as I tried to walk around it, I misjudged my footing, I slipped and fell heavily on my bottom (probably because I was carrying a heavy backpack). I could feel something was wrong straight away- there was a searing pain shooting right up my spine and fear took hold.

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My husband tried to pick me up, but it was very painful, and he needed help. A lovely young Norwegian lady came to the rescue, and between them they got me on my feet. She offered to take me to hospital as it was far too painful to walk, but being on a cruise I needed to get back there as the ship was leaving shortly. She went to get her car and drove me as near to the ship as she could get. How I got in that car I will never know, but it took me some time, with the help of 2 people and a few tears and gritted teeth.      

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If anyone knows anything about cruise ships, they are not able to bring wheelchairs off the ship (security purposes), therefore I had to walk with support of my husband and a crew member, up the gangway which seemed like the longest walk of my life. Every time I looked up, it seemed longer and longer, and time seemed to stop.

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I just want to digress a little and tell you that there are far more kind people on this planet than unkind. What struck me was the amount of people who passed us on that slow journey who offered help in one way or another- physical support, carrying our bags, pain relief advice, and giving hope that I will be ok.

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To cut a long story short, I eventually got taken to the medical centre and ship Dr who did the usual neurological tests: could I squeeze his hands? Could I kick out with each leg? Could I feel anything in all the places he prodded- up and down the spine, hands, feet and limbs? Yes!! Thankfully I could- with very little strength, but I could do those things a little. No spinal cord damage!! Even though I was in extreme pain, I have never been more pleased that I could ‘feel’ sensations, than that moment.

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The Dr put it down to severe back strain/sprain, and I was loaned a wheelchair and given pain relief medication. The rest of the day was a blur- I was in shock, freezing cold and shaking. I was afraid to have a shower that day, I stayed in the cabin, tried to get comfortable and dozed most of the time.