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Read our selection of client stories below:
Dugald MacArthur
In October 1996, at the age of 27, Dugald McArthur sustained an injury while playing rugby which left him paralysed from the shoulders down. Although he wasn't in pain while he lay on the rugby pitch, he realised that he could no longer feel his hands or arms.
Dugald was taken to the National Spinal Injuries Unit at the Southern General Hospital where they discovered that he had damaged his spinal cord. He spent the next fourteen months being treated in hospital, which is where he found out about Assist, Momentum's spinal injury service. Assist helps people with spinal injuries to learn or relearn to use computers following their injuries as a way of gaining independence and learning new ways to do things which they may formerly have taken for granted.
Though Dugald had been computer literate before the accident his injuries meant that he could no longer operate a computer as he had before, and so he worked with the manager of our Assist programme to try various adaptive technologies. These included on-screen keyboards and a system operated by breathing, and finally settled on a voice recognition system which allowed Dugald to dictate his commands into the computer. While Dugald was in hospital he was provided with the technology at his bedside and learned to use the new system to write letters, send e-mails and keep in touch with friends from his bed. Although it was slow-going at first, Dugald gradually got faster as he became accustomed to the new technology.
In December 1997 Dugald came out of hospital and Assist manager Geoff Orry helped to set up the software at his home in Edinburgh. Just two months later, in February 1998, Dugald went back to work at Scottish Provident, now part of the Abbey National group , where he worked as a software developer creating databases. Geoff also helped to set up the computer at Dugald's work and he used the technology daily.
Dugald said, "It was really all I needed to do my job. Everything was stored on the PC, so I didn't have the problem of having hard copies of files and paper that I can't lift. As well as speech recognition I used a system which allows me to manoeuvre the mouse around the screen simply by moving my head."
"The adaptive technology gave me the independence to continue working in a job that I enjoy and because I learned how to use it while still in hospital, it meant that I was ready to go back to work almost as soon as I came home. If I hadn't learned to use the technology in hospital I would have had to spend a considerable amount of time and effort trying to find out what was suitable and then have had to learn to use the technology without any support."
When the company closed its Edinburgh offices in 2004, Dugald decided to go to university to study social anthropology and now utilises the adaptive technology to complete assignments and sit exams.
Geoff Orry, Manager of Assist, said, "Dugald is proof that sustaining a severe spinal injury need not mean a lifetime of inactivity or giving up the things you enjoy. The assistive technology that we support people to use at Assist is based on adapting computers to people rather than the other way around and helps people to realise the many possibilities that lie ahead.
"Early intervention is the key. Being based within the hospital allows us to see people as soon as possible after their accidents and means that we can get straight to work on assisting people like Dugald to rebuild their lives."
Greg Small
Greg Small, from Ibrox, Glasgow, was enjoying a holiday with friends in the USA in August 2002 when his life changed dramatically.
After a night out, Greg returned to his hotel room in Madison, Wisconsin, and began to feel what he can only describe as 'drunk'. He said: "I felt dizzy and started to stagger. I felt my movements become very uncoordinated and, as I hardly drink and had been drinking Cokes all night, my first thought was that my drinks had been spiked. But soon I had also lost movement in my right arm and leg and when I realised that my speech was becoming slurred I knew it was something more serious."
Greg was due to return home to Scotland the following morning but his symptoms got worse and he was taken to hospital in the States where he spent a week - his sister flying out to be with him - before he was allowed to fly home.
On his return to Glasgow, Greg,now 38, was admitted to the Physical Disabilities Rehabilitation Unit (PDRU) at the city's Southern General Hospital, where he spent almost three weeks receiving intensive physiotherapy to try to recover some of the movement that he had lost as a result of the stroke.
Prior to his stroke, Greg had been employed at BT for 20 years, working his way up from apprentice to Project Engineer. Following the stroke, Greg was keen to return to work but his disability meant that he needed assistance and support to do so, as well as modifications both to his job description and to his working environment.
Through the PDRU, Greg heard about Momentum's Get Back Plus programme; a vocational rehabilitation service which is designed to assist people who are in employment but who have sustained an illness, accident or injury which is affecting their job or making return to work difficult.
By getting involved at an early stage and working closely with employers, Get Back Plus helps clients to overcome or compensate for difficulties caused by their injury or illness, enabling them to return to and remain at work.
Greg joined the Get Back Plus programme in November 2002. As a valued and highly skilled member or staff, BT was keen to see him return too, and with the assistance and support of Get Back Plus, they worked to ensure that the necessary changes could be made to allow Greg to return to work.
The team of specialist staff at Get Back Plus worked out a tailored programme to help Greg to regain some of the skills that he had lost. His stamina had been reduced as a result of the stroke and Greg, the Get Back Plus job coach and BT worked together to look at how he would manage his future workload.
Get Back Plus staff also liaised with BT over adapted equipment, installing an adjustable-height desk, new chair and arranging for Greg to move to a more accessible office. With these adaptations in place, Greg was able to return to work just three months after his stroke, starting with two hours every day. He is now back at work full-time.
Greg's then line manager Dave Kershaw said: "The progress Greg made in his rehabilitation was remarkable and is due to the commitment, dogged determination and drive that Greg showed to return to the business and contribute to its success. The partnership between BT and Momentum in facilitating Greg's return to work has been highly successful. BT is grateful to the professional way that Momentum have provided their services and look forward to working with them to maximise the potential for Greg's recovery."
Get Back Plus job coach Colin Paterson said: "The early involvement of Greg's employer really aided his progress. With early intervention we find that 70 per cent of Get Back Plus clients are successful in achieving their vocational goals."
The success of the programme has culminated in Greg being promoted to Project Manager within BT. Greg still has movement difficulties on his right side but was determined to take part in Momentum's ten-day fundraising trek across Cuba - accessible to people with a range of disabilities - in March 2004.
He said: "I've had a life-threatening experience and now I'm really going to live my life. When it came to the crunch, Momentum was there to help just when I needed them and filled the gap between hospital and work. They quite literally helped me back onto my feet.
"Cuba really was a challenge. Being on the go for 18 hours a day in tropical heat and humidity and sleeping in rustic accommodation was an adventure, whilst walking on the rural paths and jungle trails was a fascinating experience."
Greg raised £2,500 for Momentum and now hopes his story will inspire people to sign up for the 2005 trek across the island, which takes place from October 22 to 30. Participants must raise a minimum of £2500 sponsorship which will go towards assisting disabled and excluded people across Scotland to achieve their goals and progress towards work, training or education.
Highlights of the trip include the chance to explore the World Heritage Sites of Havana and Trinidad and to trek through stunning countryside which includes fruit orchards and sugar plantations.
Greg added: "I'm always looking for ways to improve myself. I'm glad I went to Cuba - the challenge pushed me and I'm told that determination is what makes the difference in my rehabilitation.
"Every day I encounter new challenges which test me more and more and the availability of the help from Momentum has been key to my success. I wanted to increase Momentum's profile and coffers through taking part in the trek. It also helped me to say thanks, to raise money, to get fit and to do something new after I was given a second chance! Would I do it again? The short answer is yes - in a heart-beat!"
For further information on Momentum's job retention services contact 0141 333 0567 or log onto www.momentumscotland.org.
To find out more about Momentum's Cuban Champions Challenge contact:
Lindsey Spowage on 0141 221 2333, E-mail lindsey.spowage@momentumscotland.org.
Thomas McDougall
Glasgow cyclist Thomas John McDougall is celebrating winning two medals at the Special Olympics in Glasgow this month. Thomas, who is known as TJ, scooped a silver medal, a bronze medal and a fifth place, following support from Momentum's Let's Go... service which helps adults with a learning disability.
The 23-year-old was introduced to the Special Olympics cycling group by the Govan-based Let's Go... service and for the last two years, TJ has been attending the cycle group accompanied by a Let's Go . . . support worker.
And all of his hard work and training paid off when he scooped the medals, winning silver for a 25K race, bronze for the 15K and fifth place in the 10K. Around 2500 athletes took part in the Special Olympics, competing in 23 sports across 11 venues in the city.
TJ said: "It was a great week. The atmosphere was good, even better than I thought it would be and I met a lot of new people."
TJ joined Let's Go... four years ago and in addition to cycling has been supported to take part in many other activities. Based in The Pearce Institute, Govan, Let's Go... provides community-based activities and short breaks for adults with a learning disability in the South Glasgow area. Established in 2001 with the aim of offering an alternative to building-based respite, the service helps people with learning disabilities to make the most of leisure time and holidays.
He said: "Let's Go... has given me the chance to realise some of my dreams. I've made lots of friends and my confidence has grown. Since I joined the service, I've developed my interest in music and singing and am now a member of several local musical groups.
"After I left school, I attended Glasgow Nautical College, where my studies included computing and drama. Now I sing in the local community choir, performing concerts for the elderly and youth groups in the Castlemilk area where I live with my mum, dad and brother.
"I've also taken classes with Brazilian drumming group SambaYaBamba, play keyboard and attend drama class and Let's Go... staff have supported me to take part in other activities like the cycling club."
The service's quality, flexibility and diversity have been praised by parents, carers and clients. As far as possible, staff are matched to clients with similar interests and clients are encouraged to try new activities, building new friendships along the way.
Let's Go... is part of the Momentum Care division which provides tailored care and supported living in the community services for people with a wide range of disabilities. Momentum has a long track record of working with people with learning disabilities.
And with the Special Olympics now under his belt, TJ is turning his attention to his next big challenge - taking part in a trek across Cuba to raise money for Momentum. Together with Let's Go . . . staff member, Kirsty Brown, TJ will cycle through stunning Cuban countryside on a fundraising trip to the island in October. Money raised will assist Momentum to provide services which help disabled and excluded people to achieve their goals.
To support TJ and Kirsty's fundraising cycle, or to find out more about Let's Go... please telephone 0141 440 1650.
Val Muirhead
Valerie Muirhead realised her dream of running in her first 10k race in 2004, raising more than £600 for Momentum.
But just two years before, the Glasgow woman's whole future was at risk as she suffered a stroke at the age of 44, causing loss of brain function and lack of control over the left side of her body.
Now Valerie is back at work, living in her own home and building up her fitness, a transformation she readily admits was due largely to the support she received from Momentum's Get Back Plus programme, which assists people to return to work following illness or injury.
Valerie said: "In October 2002 I suffered a stroke which caused loss of brain function and lack of control over the left side of my body. My independence, my job, my whole future was in jeopardy.
"Today, thanks to the practical and emotional support and motivation I have had from Momentum, as well as my own determination not to let this beat me, I am back at work as Corporate Co-ordinator with Cube Housing Association in Glasgow, living in my own flat and working on my stamina and fitness.
"I am living proof that with the help and support of Momentum, my employer and family and friends, it is possible for your life to return to some normality after a stroke."
Valerie was out for lunch with colleagues when she first became ill in October 2002.
She said: "I was disorientated and felt as if I was detached from what people were saying. I collapsed in the hall of my flat in the early hours, believing that someone may have put drugs in my drink. I felt as if I had been transported into a special effects movie as everything around me was undulating.
"I managed to crawl back to bed where I lay for 24 hours and at some point was lucid enough to know that something was very wrong as I had no control over the movement of my left arm and leg."
In the early hours of the next morning Valerie managed to phone her brother who immediately took her to hospital. Doctors diagnosed a stroke, caused by a blood disorder. They also told Valerie that she had a hole in her heart, and a blood disorder, which makes her blood prone to clotting, both conditions of which Valerie was unaware. After an intensive period in the specialist stroke unit at Glasgow's Victoria Hospital, Valerie was discharged and underwent keyhole heart surgery a year later.
The stroke had left her unable to walk and with problems with her vision, memory and severe fatigue, but Valerie was determined to regain her health and return to work. In January 2003, she joined Momentum's Get Back Plus job retention programme.
By getting involved with people at an early stage following their illness or injury, Get Back Plus helps them to learn the skills they need to return to work and liaises closely with their employers to make the process as smooth as possible. This includes continuing support from a Momentum job coach.
Valerie said: "I was quite hard on myself and probably expected too much at first. After I joined Momentum's Get Back Plus programme, I realised that I did need some help to come to terms which the changes in my life. Little things like washing dishes or ironing became mountainous tasks.
"I would get frustrated that I couldn't do things as easily as I used to but Get Back Plus helped me to learn strategies to cope with my fatigue and memory loss such as always using the calendar option in my mobile phone. This would vibrate and ring 30 minutes or an hour before an appointment to remind me that I had something to do. All I had to do was remember to take it with me at all times and I stuck notes on my front door to help me with this.
"My job coach from Get Back Plus, Colin Paterson, was great and was always there with support when I needed it. He arranged for me to go back to work for a few hours at a time, gradually building up and I went back full-time in April 2004.
"Colin asked me what my goals were and I said I wanted to run a 10k. I hadn't realised before that I was a goal-orientated person but I'm now constantly setting myself goals that push me on to do more than before.
"I run twice a week and have joined a health club to try to keep the muscle tone in my left hand side. I still have some cognitive problems - I find meetings with a lot of people present very difficult as I cannot follow what everyone is saying.
"I no longer require regular support from Momentum although I know it's there if I need it. But I still receive support from Momentum's Access to Work programme, which arranged for me to travel to and from the office by taxi. This helps enormously in managing my fatigue."
Colin said: "We're all very proud of Val's achievements, not only in returning to work but in realising her dream of running the 10k. We find that the earlier we get involved with a client's employers, the better the outcome when they return to work."
Momentum Scotland is a company limited by guarantee and having charitable status. Registered in Scotland no CS127950. Scottish Charity No SC004328. Registered Office: The Stables, Carlton Court, Glasgow G5 9JP.
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