Tony Pearson, 57, a married father with three young adult daughters, has just gone live with a podcast to bring help and hope to others. Inspired by his own lifechanging injury, it’s called Fliqer – after the flicker of response that gave Tony a glimmer of hope during his rehabilitation sessions.
The podcast aims to build a community where people can find resources, advice and support. Born out of the complete change of direction that Tony’s life has taken, it is channelling his new-found resilience and purpose after his own life changed following an accident in April 2022 at his home.
“I collapsed at the top of the stairs and fell down headfirst, breaking my neck,” says Tony. “It was 10.30pm on a Friday night and I was taken to Walsall Manor hospital. I was then blue lighted on the Sunday to Royal Stoke Hospital where I underwent a seven-hour operation on my neck.”
Fateful fall
Tony was then put into an induced coma for three weeks but soon afterwards had two cardiac arrests and was resuscitated on both occasions.
Tony’s spinal cord injury means he is a full-time wheelchair user and has limited use of his arms. When he was discharged from hospital on 23rd December 2022, he struggled due to a complete lack of specialist community rehabilitation services. He was given access to his local gym but as a new wheelchair user and still getting used to what he could and couldn’t do, Tony simply didn’t find this accessible or helpful.
“I was astonished how poorly supported people with a spinal cord injury are once out of hospital,” says Tony. “There is just nothing available: you suddenly drop off the radar and are left to your own devices to find what you can for yourself.”
Five-hour round trip for rehab
Tony’s wife Janine set out to find some support for him and found the specialist neurorehabilitation charity Neurokinex. Problem was, the closest of its sites was 90 miles away in Bristol. Despite this, in November 2023 Tony visited Neurokinex and decided to try its induction programme in the New Year of 2024. From there he completed its 6-week intensive programme, attending three session per week each week. The five-hour round trip wasn’t easy but Tony says it was completely worth it as the Neurokinex Intensive Rehab programme brought him on massively.
Setting goals and eating chips
Together with his trainers, Tony set some goals and targets. “I wanted to regain simple skills like eating with a knife and fork and drinking out of a cup,” says Tony. These were tricky to master as Tony’s left hand was permanently in a fist and his right hand permanently open.
But they persevered. One session was spent almost entirely on using stabbing movements with his arms and hands which Tony later found out to his delight enabled him to use a fork unaided. “It was lunchtime at Neurokinex and they sent out for chips which I was able to eat on my own. It was a delicious moment in more ways than one being able to manage without anyone’s help,” says Tony.
Rare people
It’s this personalisation and understanding that Tony values so greatly at Neurokinex. “Their approach is always bespoke to the individual’s needs and they design the programme around you,” says Tony. “Importantly, they truly listen to what you want and how you feel: we have a really great relationship and I find them hugely motivational and supportive without ever being condescending. It’s rare you get that in people.”
Tony’s next goals are to keep progressing with his arm and hand movements, work on his cardio fitness and lose weight. Between sessions he works hard at home, spending two hours a day on his exercise bike and completing strength and mobility movements.
Giving back
A blessing for Tony was retaining his job post injury. As theco-founder and director of BJS home delivery company, covering the sales department, he works from home and offers support to colleagues by phone. As this isn’t full time, he has branched out to deliver motivational talks to businesses and charities.
Giving people an insight into his new reality, he hopes to build their empathy and resilience. He often starts with a challenge asking people to sit on their hands for five minutes and not move for any reason. “You’ll get an itch but you can’t scratch it – that’s not allowed – for five whole minutes,” says Tony. “It seems interminable – but that’s been my life for the past two-and-a-half years! While it is a fun way of saying ‘welcome to my world’ there’s nothing fun living this reality. Yet it does help give people a glimpse into my life and is a real eye opener.”
Starting with a Fliqer
These talks led Tony to offer mental health coaching which, in turn, has led to him starting his podcast Fliqer. Sharing his story through the podcast gives people a different perspective and context on their own situation. Tony candidly says, “I am truly grateful for what I have: I didn’t know if I would even survive! Despite our challenges, we can all find a way to be a better version of ourselves, be it through weight loss, staring to exercise, stopping drinking or smoking. I help people find their ‘why’ to bring about change and encourage them to achieve it.”
Tony is also truly grateful for Janine’s support. “Not everyone has a Janine in their life and I’m very fortunate that she has been at my side all the way. She found Neurokinex for me and she has worked tirelessly to help adapt our home and find gadgets to help me be more independent around the house. She wasn’t keen on driving but committed to taking me on those five-hour round trips for my rehab: I’d really be lost without her.”
To tune into the podcast Fliqer …
Visit Where there’s a Fliqer, there’s hope – Hosted by Tony Pearson (acast.com)
