Spinal Health Week - Lindsay Nott

Hi, my name is Lindsay, I was born and grew up in Brisbane, Australia and obtained my spinal cord injury several years ago, which sees me getting around on four wheels instead of two legs. My injury hasn’t stopped me from making the most out of what I like to call "my beautiful life".

My journey began on the last day of grade 12, at the age of 17 when I went for a celebratory swim at Southbank, in Brisbane and broke my neck at vertebrae C5. Over the last 29 years, I have done public speaking at universities, conferences, fundraisers and within healthcare settings. I also work part time, enjoy travelling, attend the gym and volunteer as a peer support mentor for the newly injured and their families. I am also a passionate advocate for disability awareness and my goal is to help people and their families who are in similar situations. Recently, I started up a social media platform, including a website, podcast, and YouTube channel. Allowing me to peer support in a different manner. Honestly, it has opened more opportunities and more goals to work towards!

During my rehabilitation I took part in weekly gym sports activities – including 10-pin bowling and rugby! Not only did I do physiotherapy to get my body moving, but I also wanted to become more independent.

I remember back when I wanted to go snow skiing six months after my discharge, my physiotherapist was fully supportive and advised on what sort of equipment I would need to have to continue with my love of travel/adventures. To open up my sporting options, along with several other patients, I was invited to play weekly quad rugby games (with a stop at the Maccas drive through for a cheeseburger and sundae before heading back to the Spinal Unit!).

Is sporting activity achievable?

Hell yeah it is! Video games, gym, home workouts, sporting shooters, quad rugby, basketball, adapted sailing, surfing, drone, fishing... the list is endless! It's also a great way to meet new people, challenge yourself and learn new life skills. Not only does daily exercise help my physical body, but my attitude also gets a good workout – I find this refreshing!

Over the years, I have noticed at the gym, the clients have a more positive attitude, and it encourages everybody to push themselves even further, gaining more confidence and forming new relationships along the way.

My physiotherapist has now provided a stretching program for my support workers, which I use daily. I find that combining these with more intensive work outs, either at the gym, Making Strides (or a similar organisation with a qualified exercise physiologist) provides my body with opportunities to stretch and use the muscles I wouldn’t normally, which works a treat!

Travelling to Making Strides is a major activity just in itself! I have to travel on several types of public transport in just one day, then a two-hour intensive program, followed by the return journey. When you know no different and you have a goal, you do what is required. My motto is “improvise, adapt and overcome”.

During my time attending these sessions, I found the benefits of strength and stability. I go by the theory of use it or lose it! Some of the immediate benefits included better night sleep and a willingness to increase my activities and independence. Throughout the year, I chat to my exercise physiologist, on my travels, daily tasks etc… And together we work towards these goals. They range from swimming 25 years after my accident, travelling on an aeroplane, helicopter through to watering the garden and dragging in the washing. My poor carers are forever collecting pegs off the ground!

Participating in gym activity is not just about getting fit and healthy, it works for everyday use and is allowing me to cook BBQs with my support workers and sharing this on social media. My EP (exercise physiologist) and physiotherapist stretches/exercises also assist with my spasms and general body tensing during the winter months where I am affected by the changes in temperature.

As a result of my high-level spinal-cord injury, my temperature regulation is severely affected. I need extra layers, which is an added weight to my body. Therefore, these also help to increase my strength and stability, which is paramount for my independence. Unfortunately, I recently broke my leg in a tubing accident and spent two months healing in hospital. My immediate goal was to have the cast removed in six weeks, and that was achieved! Following that, I needed to regain strength, stability, and a range of motion; that was my second major goal. But I have started from ground zero, after spending several weeks with limited mobility. We are achieving the goal differently, but, ending up with the same result. When the warm weather returns, hydrotherapy will be in full swing, and I will be completing as many laps as possible.

I can’t believe how much the body changes and can re-adapt just as quickly!

Listen to Lindsay's podcast series on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2SJ4HYn6lqVJ6tGrxLY7p1