What helps you rebuild confidence, identity and freedom after a spinal cord injury?

In this episode of Back Up and Thriving, Sophie Elwes is joined by Clair Pollard, who’s a Clinical Psychologist and paraplegic who sustained her spinal injury in 1999 while travelling in Africa. Clair shares how discovering Back Up shortly after leaving hospital changed the direction of her life and reshaped her belief in what was still possible.

Clair reflects on her first multi activity course in the Lake District, the power of peer support, and how it became central to her recovery and long term wellbeing. She also discusses the growth of Back Up from a small charity into a national organisation supporting people with spinal cord injuries and their families and shares the evolution of the family support service and mentoring service – which she helped pioneer alongside another Clinical Psychologist in 2005.

Travel plays a major role in Clair’s story. She speaks candidly about navigating the world as a wheelchair user, accepting help when needed, managing setbacks, and building confidence through experience. Her perspective is practical, honest and grounded in decades of lived experience.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• How peer support and mentoring support long term recovery
• Why travel remains possible after spinal cord injury with planning and confidence
• How to balance independence with accepting help when travelling
• The emotional impact of injury on family members and why their wellbeing matters
• Practical advice for newly injured people considering travel

Key Moments:

00:00 – Clair Pollard introduces her journey

02:05 – Discovering Back Up after spinal injury

04:45 – The Lake District course that changed everything

07:29 – Returning to work and rebuilding confidence

10:09 – Peer support and mentoring at Back Up

14:56 – Why mentoring works so powerfully

19:12 – Travelling the world as a wheelchair user

22:54 – Losing spontaneity and learning to plan travel

26:19 – Asking for help and verbal independence

29:38 – Advice for newly injured travellers

33:38 – Travel hacks and flying with a wheelchair

37:19 – What Clair would tell her newly injured self

38:50 – Living well with a spinal cord injury

41:36 – Supporting family members after injury

43:11 – Final reflections on purpose and gratitude

🌍 Ready to plan your next adventure with confidence?

If you’re looking for accessible travel advice or want to connect with someone who’s been there, Back Up is here to help.

Reach out to the team and get the support you need to travel confidently today:

👉 www.backuptrust.org.uk/support-for-you/back-up-and-thriving-accessible-travel-toolkit

Find out more about:

Mentoring: www.backuptrust.org.uk/support-for-you/mentoring

The Back Up Lounge: www.backuptrust.org.uk/support-for-you/the-back-up-lounge

Family Support: www.backuptrust.org.uk/support-for-you/family-support

Back Up Courses: www.backuptrust.org.uk/support-for-you/life-changing-courses

These resources are proudly supported by the Motability Foundation.

Credits:

This episode was hosted by Sophie Elwes, Head of Services at Back Up and produced by Phonic Content.

Back Up is a national charity for everyone affected by spinal cord injury. Join us on Instagram, Facebook, X and Linkedin.