In this episode of the Back Up and Thriving Accessible Travel Podcast, host Sophie Elwes interviews Pete Donnelly, who has lived with a T6 spinal cord injury for 18 years. They discuss Pete's journey with Back Up, his rehabilitation, mastering wheelchair skills, and his exceptional travel experiences globally. Pete shares valuable insights into overcoming internalized ableism and the societal barriers faced by people with disabilities. He also offers practical advice for living well with a spinal cord injury and his top travel tips to make life easier for wheelchair This conversation aims to inspire listeners to view travelling post-injury as not only possible but potentially life-changing.

Episode Highlights:
04:05 The Accident and Rehabilitation
05:55 Facing Perceptions and Internalized Ableism
09:59 Mastering Wheelchair Skills
19:37 Navigating London with a Wheelchair
25:12 Adventures Abroad: Traveling with a Wheelchair

Episode Links:

• Back Up Wheelchair Skills App
• Back Up Courses
• Taking Flight

Credits:

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

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

In this episode of The Back Up and Thriving Accessible Travel Podcast, host Sophie Elwes interviews Merryn Thomas about her journey with a spinal cord injury sustained in 2009. The discussion touches on various travel experiences, focusing on public transport, living abroad, and the challenges and triumphs of navigating the world as a wheelchair user. Merryn shares valuable tips for newly injured individuals, emphasizing the importance of confidence, planning, and community support. From small victories in daily tasks to solo European train trips, this episode highlights resilience and the benefits of embracing new experiences despite disabilities, with some great advice about travelling by public transport as a person with a spinal cord injury.

Episode Highlights:

01:47 Guest Introduction: Merryn's Story

06:20 Experiences with Public Transport

11:19 Living Abroad with a Spinal Cord Injury

16:49 Skills for Independence and Rehabilitation

23:40 Travel Tips and Final Thoughts

Episode Links:

• Back Up Wheelchair Skills App
• Back Up Courses
• Back Up Mentoring

Credits:

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

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

In this episode of the The Back Up and Thriving Accessible Travel Podcast, actor George Robinson discusses his journey following a spinal cord injury sustained during a rugby trip in South Africa.

He shares his experiences in the hospital and his involvement with Back Up, a pivotal support system during his recovery. George details his acting career, including his role as Isaac in 'Sex Education.' He reflects on the challenges and strategies of traveling with a disability, emphasising the importance of self-advocacy, preparation, and embracing life's unpredictabilities. The episode culminates with George's favourite travel memories and practical tips for living well with a spinal cord injury.

Episode Highlights:

01:05 George Robinson's Injury and Recovery Journey

05:27 Acting Career and Sex Education

08:57 Navigating Train Travel with a Disability

29:27 Dealing with Travel Setbacks

32:59 Top Travel Memories

35:48 Living Well with a Spinal Cord Injury

Episode Links:

• Sex Education on Netflix
• Back Up courses
• Back Up Wheelchair Skills App
• TFL Go app

Credits:

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

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

The Back Up and Thriving Accessible Travel Podcast is hosted by Sophie Elwes, Head of Services at Back Up. She sustained a T4 spinal cord injury back in 2011. Over this series she'll be interviewing a range of guests who are all affected by spinal cord injury and each episode will look at a different mode of transport. Guests to come include George Robinson who stars in Netflix's Sex Education, Merryn Thomas, Pete Donnelly, Hannah and Darren Bucys as well as TV Presenter Sophie Morgan. Guests will be sharing their stories, their travel experiences as well as some fabulous advice. Back Up's hope is that listeners will realise that travelling after spinal cord injury is not only possible, but that it can be life changing too.

Credits:

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

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