The cheers, celebrations and sporting rivalries of the Commonwealth Games were recreated at the Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries Unit this week as patients and staff staged a Games of their own.
Fittingly, the event took place during the same week former spinal injuries unit patient Melanie Woods won Commonwealth Games gold for Scotland, providing a powerful reminder of the opportunities that can remain after life-changing injury.
Representing Cameroon, Canada, Cyprus and Jamaica, competitors took part in an afternoon of sporting challenges designed to get people active, support rehabilitation and introduce patients to activities they may continue long after leaving hospital.
The event began with an opening ceremony worthy of any major sporting competition, with teams parading through the unit’s gym behind a Saltire to the tune of Flower of Scotland. Participants were welcomed by Angie Malone, Physical Activity Advisor with WheelPower, the national charity promoting wheelchair sport and physical activity, who delivered an opening address before the competition got under way. Angie works closely with patients in the unit, helping introduce them to sports and activities as part of their rehabilitation journey.
From wheelchair slaloms and basketball to javelin, boxing and cycling, patients and staff then battled it out across eight different sporting stations, collecting points and competing for medals along the way.
While plenty of friendly rivalry was on display, the afternoon was about far more than winning.
For many patients at the Spinal Injuries Unit – part of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital campus – rehabilitation involves rebuilding confidence and discovering new opportunities following life-changing injuries. Events such as the Commonwealth Games help demonstrate the wide range of sports and activities available to them while supporting their physical recovery.
And for a few hours, the gym was transformed from a rehabilitation space into a sporting arena filled with cheering teammates, friendly rivalries and shared celebrations. Patients, families and staff came together to compete, encourage one another and enjoy a day where laughter and camaraderie were as important as the final scores.
The competition concluded with a quiz, refreshments and a medal ceremony to celebrate the efforts of everyone who took part.
Fergal MacArthur, Specialist Physiotherapist at the National Spinal Injuries Unit and organiser of the event, said:
“Our patients are often with us for a considerable time, and many have sustained life-changing injuries. Over and above their recovery and rehabilitation, one of the main questions we are asked is, ‘What will I do now?’
“Events like this show patients who have been through life-changing experiences that there’s still so much they can do.
“Part of our role, and a large part of the rehabilitation we offer, is to demonstrate what people can do and help them discover activities they can enjoy and get involved with. We use days like this to introduce patients to new sports and opportunities, and you never know, one or two might even be inspired to compete in a future Commonwealth Games.
“The fact we all have so much fun taking part is a huge added bonus.”
His comments proved particularly fitting, with Melanie Woods claiming Commonwealth Games gold for Scotland during Glasgow’s Games. The 31-year-old won the women’s T54 1500m. After sustaining serious injuries in a cycling accident in 2018, she spent time recovering at the spinal injuries unit before going on to enjoy success on the international stage.
While most of the day’s competitors may not have Mel’s aspirations of standing on a Commonwealth podium, her achievement serves as a powerful reminder of the opportunities that can remain after life-changing injury.
The unit thanked everyone who took part in the event, as well as partners Spinal Injuries Scotland, Digby Brown, WheelPower and Back Up, whose ongoing support helped make the day possible.
