“Before this, winning championships would make me happy; suddenly a wiggling toe meant so much more” Ed Jackson
Wings for Life “We’re just telling people, ‘Don’t give up’” Ed Jackson STYLING: TONY COOK @ONE REPRESENTS; STYLING ASSISTANT: KAYLA GARNER-JONES; GROOMING: KATIE BEVERIDGE; PHOTO ASSISTANT: FRANKIE LODGE, NICK RICHARDS, MARK TOWNSEND With the help of foundations like Wings for Life, breakthroughs are frequent. One project showcased how nanoparticles, which can courier drugs to specific cells, could be used to reduce inflammation at the injury site. Another showed how an injection of 20 million stem cells, which can turn into almost any body cell, can help rewire damaged neural circuits. And one study is exploring how implants could stimulate the brain’s mesencephalic locomotor region, responsible for mobility. “It’s amazing,” says McGloin. “It would be naive to think everyone will become completely able-bodied again, but if we can improve our lives on any level, we’re all for it. If I could have full hand function back, [as a driver] that would be better than walking.” Tansley says any treatments that researchers can deliver will have life-changing effects. “When I used to see guys in wheelchairs, I never thought, ‘How do they go to the toilet? What about sexual function?’” From moving into a bungalow to getting “caked in mud” when wheeling across a field to watch his son play football, he says, “life is a constant adaptation – you can do what you want, but in a different way. I try to do everything I did before”. <strong>The</strong> mental challenge is often the hardest. An estimated 20 to 30 per cent of those with an SCI suffer from clinical depression. McGloin believes setting new life goals is key: “Taking up wheelchair rugby at university was the turning point. I stopped being defined by my injury and began being defined by my strengths.” She went on to represent Great Britain. After signing up for a track day and getting hooked on racing, she was ready for any obstacle. “To get my licence, I had to show I could exit the car unaided in seven seconds – but I did it. When driving, I just have more force through my arms than my legs, but the physicality is the same. I’m just like every other driver.” Different injuries require different goals. Jackson cites former England rugby player Matt Hampson, who remains paralysed after a scrummaging accident in 2005; his charity has raised more than £1 million for injured young athletes. “He hasn’t made a physical recovery, but he’s made a mental recovery. He’s got a new purpose. To succeed isn’t just to be walking again, but to be happy.” Social prejudices may have faded, but awkwardness lingers. “It’s always that elephant in the room,” says Jackson. That’s why he relishes the “savage banter” of his rugby friends. “It’s nice to be treated normally.” McGloin believes London 2012 was a watershed: “<strong>The</strong> campaign that Paralympians were superheroes was so positive. But I’ve also noticed how people’s perceptions of me have changed after seeing what I’ve achieved and how I present myself.” Jackson, McGloin and Tansley are now proud Wings for Life ambassadors, and their adventures, talks, blogs and socialmedia work help raise funds – and hope. “Our ambassadors are a reminder of why we’re doing this,” says Dr May. “We see our work could lead to something, so they are a big motivator.” Intriguingly, their adventures could trigger new medical insights. Jackson has noticed that after extreme experiences – like terrifying ridge walks in the Himalayas – his movements are sharper. “In intense situations, your neurology is firing at its absolute highest. You are really alert, so I think it stretches your neurology in a positive way. Scientists at Bath University are measuring my gait with infrared cameras before and after a climb to get data on it.” Many with an SCI can’t walk or scale mountains, but Jackson encourages everyone to push their bodies and minds in whatever ways their injury allows. “Doctors always give you a guarded prognosis to avoid litigation, and the NHS can’t fund your rehab for ever, so they always say you might not recover. I’m determined to change that, because people shut down. I’m still seeing recovery now. Two and a half years on, Tano is standing. So we’re just telling people, ‘Don’t give up.’” Research suggests that thanks to general medical advances the number of paraplegics with ‘complete’ injuries who regain motor function has risen from up to three per cent in the mid- 1990s to up to 15.4 per cent in the mid-2010s. But the most profound changes are taking place within the minds of those with SCIs. “If I failed at something before, it would eat me up, but now I come back bigger and stronger,” says McGloin. Jackson says he’s now annoyingly positive: “Life is too short to say no to things.” And with 37,000 Instagram followers, Tansley believes he has a vital new role in life. “Before, I might have given 300 people gym advice and maybe two would make a positive change. Now, my journey is inspiring so many. When I was lying on the road that day, I said, ‘Something good will come of this.’ It has. And I’m just getting started.” Ed Jackson features in <strong>Red</strong> Bull’s new ‘How to Be Superhuman’ podcast. To donate to Wings for Life, text WINGS to 70800 (£5 donation; texts charged at normal rate) or go to wingsforlife.com. Every penny goes towards spinal cord research. JOIN THE WINGS FOR LIFE WORLD RUN At 12 noon on Sunday, May 3, the Wings for Life World Run begins, simultaneously launching around the world. In this unique race, there’s no finish line: 30 minutes after the start, a Catcher Car sets off, chasing runners along the course until they’re caught. <strong>The</strong> last person running is named the worldwide winner. With no set distance, runners of all abilities, from wheelchair user to ultrarunner, can take part. <strong>The</strong> race has so far attracted 500,000 participants and raised more than £21.5m for SCI research. “When we first started World Run in 2014, the number of funding applications from neuroscientists doubled,” says CEO Anita Gerhardter. “That was very cool. <strong>The</strong> more smart people who get involved, the bigger the chance of finding a cure.” To take part, go to wingsforlifeworldrun.com THE RED BULLETIN 67
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