Success stories

Bruce’s Story: Home alone - and loving it

Fourteen years ago Bruce Wall was the director of a successful flooring distribution company in Cambridge with a turnover of over £2m. A motorbike accident changed his life forever. Bruce's eighteen year old son, James, was killed in the accident and Bruce was left tetraplegic. He also needed multiple operations including the amputation of a leg.

Bruce Wall has seen his life transformed over the last year thanks to Foundations for Living. Bruce, who uses a wheelchair after a motorbike crash, said: “I’ve now got my own front door for the first time since my accident and I’ve gone from living in a residential care home in a rural area through to living independently. “I am able go into town for coffee and look around the shops also to visit Sainsbury’s as they are only 5 minutes away. It’s brilliant.”

“The accident was obviously devastating – in many ways I felt my life had ended,” says Bruce. “As soon as I was discharged from hospital. I quickly went downhill and was unable to walk or take care of myself. My own home felt like a prison. It got so bad that after 3 months I decided to take an overdose rather than be a burden on my family.” But Bruce's family rallied round to support him. After undergoing counselling he was referred to the Papworth Trust by the senior rehabilitation consultant at Addenbrooke's Hospital.

“When I arrived at Papworth for the rehab programme I felt that I was starting over. I had always assumed that disabled people had a reduced quality of life but the Papworth Trust showed me I could be independent and make my own choices about how I lived. For the first time since my accident I was able to see a future for myself.” The Papworth Trust rehabilitation team worked with Bruce to develop his physical capabilities. “I was able to learn to drive again which I hadn't thought was a possibility,” he explains. “I was also a keen windsurfer before my accident and I learnt to sail an adapted catamaran on my own at Grafham Water.

”Having regained his confidence, Bruce's computer skills meant he was able to get a job in the electronics industry until he retired in 1999. In his fourteen year journey Bruce has experienced a range of Papworth Trust accommodation. “I've gone from living in a residential care home, providing complete care when I needed it, through to living in independence with lots of support.

”Bruce moved into his own two bedroom flat in Huntingdon – a big leap of confidence. But with the support of the Papworth Trust he has his independence back. “To be honest, it's brilliant. I have everything I need right in the town centre: shops, coffee bars, friends and a flat which has been designed specifically for my needs. But the best thing is that for the first time I can have my daughter and grandson to stay.”

Bruce today... Two years ago Bruce decided to become a Trustee User Representative for the Papworth Trust as he wanted to give something back to the Charity. He attends Trustees’ meetings and focuses on the housing issues facing service users. “It’s a great way of showing everyone what’s achievable and to have a voice within the organisation. I really want to use my skills and experience to communicate the views of disabled people and I would like to encourage other people to get involved too.”

Annaliese & Kevin's Story: A fresh start

Annaliese and Kevin are tenants of the Foundations for Living project. They were among the first residents to move in when they set up home at Freshfield House, Huntingdon three years ago.

“Myself and Kevin Garley were very excited to be moving into our brand new flat, on the second floor. We were eagerly awaiting the removal men who were due at 8am, in fact they turned up at 7am. All systems go. The lorry was loaded by mid morning and left for Huntingdon. We followed shortly afterwards,” Annaliese recalled.

“When we arrived in Huntingdon, the task of sorting out where all the boxes and furniture was going to go was the first challenge. Then we found the kettle and tea pot for a well earned drink before we unpacked the boxes.”

“Since that day we have never looked back, moving to Huntingdon was the best move we ever made, we are right on the ring road with the shops just over the road, a market on three days a week, somewhere to go for entertainment if we want to and plenty of places to eat.”