SNN_July 2021 Issue_web low res

NEW ZEALAND SPINAL TRUST 14
A Demanding and
Rewarding Journey
Q and A with Deb Le Cren on how the
NZST helped Andrew get back to work
Deb Le Cren
Vocational Consultant
Andrew is proud to have made a full recovery and returned to his role as CEO of Recreation Aotearoa—credit Shane Boulton / ACC.
When Andrew Leslie first arrived at the
Burwood Spinal Unit in Christchurch, he
wrote down a number of goals for his
rehabilitation. He focused on what he could
do physically, how he would get back to work
and how he would return home to play an
active role in his family’s life.
Andrew was paralysed from his mountain-biking
accident so they all felt like pipe dreams. But he chipped
away at them one day at a time and never gave up. He has
achieved everything he set his mind to.
The NZ Spinal Trust (NZST) team played a leading role in
Andrew’s rehabilitation. We caught up with NZST
Vocational Consultant Deb Le Cren on how the Trust
helped Andrew get back on his feet and get his head
around returning to work and home. It was a demanding
and rewarding journey.
Today Andrew is back working full-time as the Chief
Executive of Recreation Aotearoa.
—Deb Le Cren
It’s impressive how quickly
Andrew returned to work
which is a testament to his
determination and drive.
What was Andrew like to work with? What were some
of his goals when he first arrived at the Burwood
Spinal Unit with a broken neck?
Andrew was really good to work with because he had such
a positive attitude to his rehabilitation. He is a goal
focused person in his life, work, sport and family. His
initial goals were to walk and to get more function in his
hands. I met Andrew first via phone as he had his accident
during lockdown and after only three weeks of rehab, he
was already starting to walk using aids.