A POPULAR trade unionist is taking tentative steps along the road to recovery as he continues intensive rehabilitation following a spinal injury.

Stephen Forbes, secretary for the Barrow area of the GMB union, has been at the North West Regional Spinal Injuries Centre in Southport since March 13. The 55-year-old lost the ability to move his arms and legs after slipping while getting into a vehicle in Ulverston in February. 

Looking back, Mr Forbes said: “Everything goes through your mind - it’s terrible. You go through all the emotions, you‘re up and down, it’s a lot of heartache, there’s a lot of tears. But you struggle through. And the people here have been fantastic.”

On Wednesday, Mr Forbes was transferred to the Revitalise Sandpipers respite resort in Southport, the centre is a base for those who have sufficiently recovered to be able to leave hospital. The spinal unit keeps four permanent rooms for patients continuing intensive rehabilitation. It is a stepping stone towards finally being able to return home to Barrow.

Mr Forbes said: “I can now stand with the aid of a zimmer frame and I can do a few steps. Now it’s just getting more movement, more strength and more fitness so I’m able to go home. Obviously I won’t be able to get around like I used to - I’ll need aids of some description - but we’ll see how far I get. 

“My hands are still not right - I struggle with various tasks - but I am getting there and I’m here to carry on my rehabilitation.”

Mr Forbes’ treatment will continue for as long as he makes progress, but he hopes he might return to Barrow for an assessment of his home to take place within the coming months. For now, he continues daily stretching, pool exercises and adapted treadmill training with his physiotherapists. Occupational therapists, meanwhile, have been helping him re-master tasks including dressing, washing and brushing his teeth. 

Mr Forbes hopes to regain as much independent mobility as possible, and is determined that he will continue living life to the full with any required adaptations to his home, office and car.

He said: “I‘ve gone from lying flat on my back, unable to move, being fed, to being able to get out of bed, take myself off to the shower, have a shave. It’s not like normal - everything’s slowed down - but there are a lot of positives at the moment.

“I‘d like to thank everybody for all the good wishes - there have been hundreds - friends, family, everybody from the union. It’s been fantastic.”