The Back-Up Trust DISAPPOINTMENT

[MPRAKAUSKAS]

When I read Back-Ups Philosophy on the Website

“We understand that a spinal cord injury can be devastating, but we believe that it shouldn’t prevent anyone from getting the most out of life. Our aim is to show people that they can still realise their potential after a spinal cord injury”.

With great trepidation I did contact The Back-Up Trust and imagine my excitement when I heard that I was going to be accepted on the Edinburgh City Challenge 2010.

The Back-Up Course information booklet, promised,
 
To help us prepare for the course 

Talk through any questions, concerns or worries we might have
Keep in touch with us all the way through
Support us to have a safe, worthwhile and enjoyable experience with lasting benefits
Help you think through our next steps once we get home

However, all these promises, one by one, sadly, I now realise are false. I was told, The Group Leader would contact us, I have no idea who the Group Leader is, let alone had a call.  No one has supported me, discussed my worries or needs, or even phoned me unless I have rung the office first.

My allotted P.A. was only in touch 7 days prior to the trip.  No equipment, a hoist, bed rails and shower chair was available.  This equipment in my opinion was  the minimum that should be provided by Back-Up for my needs. They had  six months notice of this in my Care plan, Back-Up, even asked, could I find the equipment in time for the Edinburgh trip, but, this was not possible at such short notice.
 
Back-Up's  Booklet states, that, it's also very likely we could be sharing a room. Does the Back-Up  staff have any understanding of the personal care needs of a tetraplegic? If I was unable to use the bathroom I would need to have bowel evacuation carried out on a bed. Can you imagine the sheer indignity of this procedure with another person, a total stranger, present ?  The indignity for us both ?

This experience, The Edinburgh City Challenge 2010, had the potential to change my whole life, but not just me, it could have enabled my wife to have a break from caring for me 24/7..............But no.

Instead of re-gaining my enthusiasm for life, Back-Up have taken all my hopes and dreams away.

“Transforming lives after Spinal Cord Injury” is a lie and a joke.

 



 

[chrisarnold]

Hi,

Very sorry to hear of your disappointment. This was not experience, when I went on the Exmoor course in June. A care assistant, buddy and medical advice were all provided. The bath rooms were properly appointed, although a portable hoist was shared, and the bed was not profiling, which I did not really need.

Have you had any feedback from Backup on the complaint you have made?  In your position, I would get in touch with someone at SIA for further advice and support. Good luck!

Chris

[MPRAKAUSKAS]

Thanks for your reply Chris.

I know lots of people do well on these courses as it was someone who had already done the Edinburgh one very successfully who advised me to have a go at something.

I have no official reply from Back Up yet, but meanwhile I have had several private e mail responses from people who sadly have had similar experiences with Back Up but who are too worried to actually post their comments, sad that really.

So I do feel a bit better now knowing that I am not the only one!

[Apparelyzed]

Hi,

Check the SIA forum you posted on, Louise, the CEO of BackUp replied to you last Monday.

http://forum.spinal.co.uk/Default.aspx?g=posts&t=1269

Regards

Simon 

[Gary Anderson]

As a doctor I meet all sorts of people in my walk (excuse the pun) of life.
I know folks who have been on courses with Back Up and other charities and have enjoyed them but I also know a few who have had similar experiences - indeed, I am one of them. Fortunately, I was never very sportly and still am not.