The Red Bulletin April 2020

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”.
The 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: “The 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 Red 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. The last person running is
named the worldwide winner. With no set distance, runners of all
abilities, from wheelchair user to ultrarunner, can take part. The
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. The
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