Spinal Injuries Association holds annual awards ceremony

The Spinal Injuries Association held their annual Rebuilding Lives Awards earlier this month at the Birmingham Metropole to recognise the achievements of people within the spinal cord injury community. The annual ceremony is a glittering charity event that celebrated some of the country’s unsung heroes and attracts support from sport and TV stars alike. The ceremony was hosted by Countdown’s Susie Dent and was also supported by Hollyoaks’ Daisy Wood and Jazmine Franks and Williams Deputy team Principal, Claire Williams.

Student and ex-soldier, Gareth Thomas was awarded twice, receiving the Armed Forces Achievement Award and as the overall winner of the Rebuilding Lives Awards 2015.

Gareth, from Powys in Wales, turned his skills to study and research after he became spinal cord injured in a road traffic collision while on leave from active duty in Bosnia. Having witnesses the impact of front line conflict, Gareth decided that he wanted to make a difference to military personnel that experience post-traumatic stress syndrome and spinal cord injury. Since 2006 Gareth has been studying hard at Cardiff Metropolitan University for a psychology degree, a health psychology master and is currently working towards a PhD.

Gareth said: “Having spent the evening with the other two shortlisted nominees in my category, I didn’t expect to win an award at all. I thank the Spinal Injuries Association for both my awards and the recognition of not just my achievements, but the achievements of everyone in this room.”

Gareth was nominated for the award by his friend Tony Stephenson, whom he has known for over 21 years. Gareth and Tony both became spinal cord injured at similar times and rehabilitated together at Rockwood Hospital in Cardiff. The pair remained friends after being discharged from hospital and stay in regular touch.

Sarah Nunoo was awarded Inspirational Carer Award for all her hard work, respect and compassion as a carer.

London based Sarah has been a carer since she moved to the UK over 14 years ago. Supporting spinal cord injured people live independent lives and achieve many of life’s big milestones, Sarah isn’t just seen as a carer but as a member of the family too. In addition to her care support, Sarah fills her spare time by raising awareness of spinal cord injury in her community and fundraising for charity.

Sarah said: “I always dreamed of being a nurse so coming to the UK and becoming a carer is really a dream come true for me.”

Sarah was nominated by Lady-Marie, a spinal cord injured lady whom Sarah has supported since she became a carer.

She said: “Sarah has gone above and beyond her duty for me. She has supported me in raising my two girls, who couldn’t imagine life without her now, as well as helping me with my studies at university. Her attitude and resolve have contributed to my life enormously.”

Talented mouth artist Keith Jansz was awarded for his art work and for providing inspiration to other spinal cord injured people.

Keith from Buckinghamshire, first got into art during rehabilitation after breaking his neck in a car accident 20 years ago. Following the accident, Keith became paralysed from the shoulders down so developed a technique of painting by holding the brush in his mouth. On returning home he was accepted as a student artist by the Mouth and Foot Paining Artists and is now a full member of the association.

Keith said: “Thank you to the Spinal Injuries Association for holding such a wonderful event and for awarding me with the Creative Arts Achievement Award. The award will help me mark the 20^th anniversary of my injury in a positive light, along with my exhibition which opens tomorrow.”

Keith uses his talents as a mouth painter to exhibit nationally and internationally, often to the benefit of charities including the Spinal Injuries Association. Keith will be exhibiting in Oxford Town Hall from 13^th June until 5^th July at 78 Derngate Northampton.

A list of all the 2015 Rebuilding Lives Award winners and photos from the event can be found at www.spinal.co.uk/page/RLSCI.