Dr Clair Pollard on Why Family Support Matters, Accepting Help to Travel and Why Peer Support is so Important after Spinal Cord Injury

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 EpisodeHow peer support and mentoring support long term recoveryWhy travel remains possible after spinal cord injury with planning and confidenceHow to balance independence with accepting help when travellingThe emotional impact of injury on family members and why their wellbeing mattersPractical advice for newly injured people considering travelKey Moments:00:00 - Clair Pollard introduces her journey02:05 - Discovering Back Up after spinal injury04:45 - The Lake District course that changed everything07:29 - Returning to work and rebuilding confidence10:09 - Peer support and mentoring at Back Up14:56 - Why mentoring works so powerfully19:12 - Travelling the world as a wheelchair user22:54 - Losing spontaneity and learning to plan travel26:19 - Asking for help and verbal independence29:38 - Advice for newly injured travellers33:38 - Travel hacks and flying with a wheelchair37:19 - What Clair would tell her newly injured self38:50 - Living well with a spinal cord injury41:36 - Supporting family members after injury43:11 - 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-toolkitFind out more about:Mentoring: www.backuptrust.org.uk/support-for-you/mentoringThe Back Up Lounge: www.backuptrust.org.uk/support-for-you/the-back-up-loungeFamily Support: www.backuptrust.org.uk/support-for-you/family-supportBack Up Courses: www.backuptrust.org.uk/support-for-you/life-changing-coursesThese 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.