Dr Grace Spence Green on Life, Medicine and Travel After Spinal Cord Injury

What does it take to rebuild your life after a spinal cord injury while pursuing a career in medicine?In this episode of Back Up and Thriving, Sophie Elwes speaks with junior doctor and disability advocate Grace Spence Green, who sustained a spinal injury in 2018 while at medical school. Grace shares her remarkable journey of returning to medical studies as a wheelchair user, becoming a trustee at Back Up, and her mission to improve disability representation in healthcare and society.She reflects on navigating the media spotlight, the importance of visibility, and the value of community support. Grace also opens up about radical acceptance, self-compassion, and how travel has shaped her perspective — from her first daunting trip to Venice to recent adventures in Georgia and Azerbaijan.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How Grace returned to medical school after her injury and the challenges she facedThe role of visibility and representation for disabled people in healthcare and societyPractical travel tips and confidence-building advice for wheelchair usersWhy community and peer support are vital for recovery and identityThe philosophy of radical acceptance and how to apply it to daily lifeKey Moments:00:00 - Introduction to Grace Spence Green 02:39 - The accident and early rehab journey 05:34 - Returning to medical school as a wheelchair user 08:39 - Media coverage and taking back her story 11:39 - Training as a doctor and career in paediatrics 14:29 - Building confidence and taking space 16:43 - First post-injury travel experiences 19:54 - Accessibility, travel hacks and learning balance 23:06 - Favourite trips and solo travel 25:44 - Advice for newly injured travellers 27:47 - The role of social media and community 30:16 - Challenging misconceptions about disability 32:54 - Radical acceptance and unpicking ableism 35:19 - Gratitude, resilience and new perspectives 38:59 - Independence, care and dignity 40:36 - Grace’s future plans and next steps 41:59 - Final advice on living well with spinal cord injury🌍 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-toolkitThese 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.