24 hours changed my life – Forever

Our film “24 hours changed my life – Forever” harnessed the urgency for medical intervention for patients with suspected cauda equina syndrome, illustrating the difference between ACT NOW or delayed interventions.

Working with North Film based in Lytham in Lancashire, I developed a story loosely based on my own experience of developing Cauda Equina Syndrome.

Later that year we entered the film into several film festivals and were delighted with its success!

• Shortlisted – London Shirts Film Festival July 2021
• Nominee – Film Freeway Pinewood Studios Festival Aug 2021
• Silver Award – People’s Choice under £5 million turnover, Charity Film Awards 2021

We received so much amazing feedback after sharing our film. We continue to use it, especially when training healthcare professionals about the impact of Cauda Equina Syndrome.

Collaborating on Health Care Professional Training

More recently, I was proud to collaborate with Liz Moir and Trudi Stewart on the development of a new online CES training module for all healthcare professionals, which was launched in February 2026. Our film features in the training, along with other charity resources, bringing lived experience and the patient voice to the heart of awareness and education.

Teaching the Cauda Equina in A-Level Human Biology Matters

Every year, thousands of people experience severe back pain. For most, it resolves with time, rest, or treatment. But for a small number, that pain is the warning sign of a rare and devastating neurological emergency Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES).

One in 100 low back pain admissions to A& E will become a CES diagnosis.

The tragedy is that many people who develop CES have never heard of it until it is too late.
As the founder of Cauda Equina Champions Charity, and as someone living with the life-changing consequences of Cauda Equina Syndrome myself, I strongly believe that introducing the function of the cauda equina into A-Level Human Biology would be a powerful step toward improving awareness, diagnosis and outcomes.

Awards and Recognition

Over the past decade, I have been incredibly proud to see the work of the Cauda Equina Champions Charity recognised through a number of awards.

These awards reflect a journey that began after I developed Cauda Equina Syndrome, a life-changing spinal emergency that many people have never heard of until it is too late. That experience led me to raise awareness, support others affected by the condition and work to improve understanding among both the public and healthcare professionals.

While some of these awards have been presented to me personally, they truly represent the work of many people. I have worked with patients, volunteers, clinicians, legal professionals, educators and supporters who have all played a part in helping us raise awareness, share lived experience and push for change.

I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together, and every award reflects that shared commitment.

Cauda Equina Syndrome Core Outcome Study (CESCOS)

I was invited by Dr Nish Srikandarajah, along with our now charity trustee Steven Smith, to be a patient representative for his CESCOS study. The study aimed to develop a qualitative set of outcomes in Cauda Equina Syndrome patients.

The Cauda Equina Syndrome Association agreed and sent out the Delph survey to its membership on behalf of Dr Srikandarajah, helping to recruit participants for the study, from our membership. My role included advocating for patients, working hard to keep them engaged and involved.

The CESCOS research would later inform the NHS professionals making decisions affecting services for Cauda Equina Syndrome patients about the holistic issues that we, as patients face after surgery and discharge, paving the way for better local and national pathways.

National Suspected Cauda Equina Syndrome Best Musculoskeletal (MSK) Working Collaborative

Through my role at Champions Charity, I was invited to join the working collaborative of 60 healthcare professionals and patient representatives as part of a working group looking at the creation of a new National Pathway for Suspected CES. The group was led by Mike Hutton, Consultant Spinal Surgeon and National Lead for Spinal Services Optimisation and Recovery for the NHS Best MSK Health Collaborative.

The scale of Mikes task to deliver a new national pathway cannot be underestimated. To bring 60 opinions from several professions within the medical community together with lived experience was no mean feat.

I am proud to say that I worked as part of this group and strongly believe that the uptake of the pathway nationally will improve outcomes for CES patients of the future. It should go a long way to reassure those already living with permanent disabilities through delays in diagnosis and surgery and those left to navigate services without a pathway at the time they were injured, that the future will be better for others that follow.