Ainsley gets life back through sport

Ainsley Sinckler-Campbell was a student at the University of Wolverhampton when he suffered a serious spinal cord injury back in February 2016.

He was trapped in the car, after crashing in Brewood, for more than two hours before being rushed to hospital for surgery.

The 23-year-old was diagnosed with a bleed on the brain, multiple rib fractures, fractured shoulder and punctured right lung, as well as his spinal cord injury.

His injuries meant he was paralysed from the waist down and would require a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

But as part of his rehabilitation, Ainsley joined the Inter Spinal Unit Games and found he was a natural at sports.

He quickly took home gold in an archery competition, and was also recognised for his abilities in swimming, athletics, and wheelchair basketball.

Possibilities

He said: “It was so hard coming to terms with my injuries, but sport has assisted with my recovery and opened me up to a whole new world of possibilities. It has helped me keep fit and meet people, while I’ve also discovered new and unexpected interests.

“When I got to the Inter Spinal Unit Games, I only knew the staff from the unit I was on. It was a great opportunity to meet people who were in the same boat as me. It was really good and made me feel that I wasn’t the only one.”

Ainsley, who was studying interior architecture and property development prior to the accident, said the turning point was when a friend suggested he try out the adaptive rowing sessions at Pengwern Rowing Club in Shrewsbury.

"Sport for me means independence," he added. "When I’m rowing it is often peaceful and calm on the water, but ultimately the responsibility of getting up and down the river rests with me. I love that sense of freedom and I never thought I would be able to say that again after my accident.”

Since first trying it out last year, Ainsley has been a familiar face at every adaptive rowing session held there. The club has also embraced adaptive rowing and now has two boats for those with disabilities.

He has also got on board with solicitor Irwin Mitchell's Don’t Quit, Do It campaign which seeks to raise awareness of the benefits of being involved in disability sports. Irwin Mitchell are representing Ainsley as serious injury lawyers.

Ainsley added: “There’s a long way to go, I know. But I am excited for the future. I am resuming my studies at university. I also want to try as many sports as possible.

“I’ve recently joined a wheelchair basketball club and I am really enjoying that too. Don’t Quit, Do It is the perfect motto for my attitude since finding disability sports.”

Cathy Leech, a partner at Irwin Mitchell said: “Twelve million people in the UK have a disability but only one in six takes part in sport regularly.

“Our work with people, like Ainsley, who have suffered life-changing injuries means we recognise the many benefits that physical activity and sport can have. Don’t Quit, Do It showcases how sport helps people recover from serious injuries and other major traumas in their lives. It does not have to be competitive; the social and physical benefits of sport are manifest at all levels of participation.

“Everyone has a story and Ainsley is a prime example of the huge difference that disability sport can make to so many lives. He has faced an incredibly difficult few years but sport has helped improve his well-being and confidence.”