Spinal injuries patients, past and present, at Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth ll National Spinal Injuries Unit at the Southern General Hospital marked the Queen’s diamond jubilee with a special tea party to celebrate the momentous occasion.
The celebration was particularly fitting as the Queen herself opened the unit in 1992 and therefore the party is a double celebration, also marking twenty years of the service being open.
Around fifty patients and their families, as well as those who have been involved in fundraising for the unit enjoyed the party. Both patients and staff had been looking forward to the occasion which brought some welcome joy to those receiving treatment at the unit, many of whom have experienced life-changing injuries.
Lorna Spence, herself a former nurse, became a patient in the ward after suffering a Spinal Infarction, a condition which has rendered her paraplegic. She has made fantastic progress since entering the unit and has a great attitude.
Lorna said: “The unit has helped a great deal in my rehabilitation process and has given me the confidence to deal with my condition. The celebration has been something all the patients have been looking forward to and I have been glued to the television all weekend watching the Jubilee celebrations”.
Eric Flynn is a former landscape gardener and patient in the unit since December last year following a fall which left him heavily paralysed. He is now making a good recovery and has recently started to walk again.
Eric said “The party has been fantastic and has really lifted everybody’s spirits. It was been a lovely day which all the patients and staff enjoyed together”.