When Rob Camm was 19 he was just about to start university in Bristol, but his life changed forever. He was involved in a car crash that nearly killed him, and left him so paralysed he can only shrug his shoulders and turn his head.
He needs a ventilator to breathe and requires round-the-clock care, but being hit with such a huge setback did not stop the man from Berkeley in Gloucestershire. For now, eight years on and now aged 28, Rob has not only graduated from Bristol University but now qualified as a solicitor in the city.
As a teenager, Rob had got into Bristol Uni to study politics and philosophy, and was thinking about going into law, but his life changed forever when he had a car crash just before he was due to start, back in 2014. Despite being paralysed from the neck down, Rob still went to uni and, out of term time, applied to join a vacation scheme at Bristol law firm Osborne Clarke.
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He impressed them so much that they started sponsoring his legal education, and offered him a training contract when he graduated in 2017. That training normally takes two years, but Rob did it four-days-a-week so that he could continue his specialist rehabilitation at the Almondsbury-based Neurokinex centre. The logistics of how a man who needs a ventilator to breathe and can only move his head can go to uni, attend lectures, get law training and work in an office are impressive.
“I was thinking about law before my injury and am fortunate that it fits well with what I can do now,” he said. “Law is very much a thinking profession that requires a lot of time at the computer. I needed some assistive software, a standing desk and a lot of support to study and work. Osborne Clarke helped me hugely and for that I am very grateful.
“I did all my work experience with Osborne Clarke so they knew what I could do,” said Rob. “When they offered me the training contract, they asked what I needed to do my work and then provided it. Not all employers are that able - or indeed willing - to be so accommodating and I am lucky to have found such support at Osborne Clarke,” he added.
Rob is in the Bristol office two days a week and travels to the London office for training and meetings, and everywhere he goes, his carers go too. “My carers accompany me all the time and, again, my employer and colleagues have been very understanding of this,” he said. “They provided assistive technology including voice recognition software and a height adjustable desk.
“It’s essential that I stand while I work to help maintain my blood pressure. If you’re able bodied, your muscles pump the blood around your body, but I only have my heart doing this - so if I’m not careful I get that sensation of when you stand up too quickly and your head spins! My wheelchair has a standing position so that works well at the standing desk and thanks to my rehab, I can stand most of the day which is a much better way for me to work,” he added.
Every Friday in rehab is also important for Rob to be able to get through the rest of the week. “Keeping up with my Neurokinex rehab was non-negotiable and without their expert help, I wouldn’t have been strong enough to complete my training and withstand the physical demands of the workplace,” he said.
The Neurokinex centre at Almondsbury treats people with a wide range of injuries and conditions, and Rob had the highest level of injury. They adapted special programmes for him to build his strength, even with the very limited amount of movement.
Trainer Matt Pollock said Rob was inspirational. “Rob is one of the most determined clients we’ve seen,” he said. “We have worked with Rob for several years since his accident and his commitment and spirit are an inspiration.
“He sets a great example to other clients and proves that even with such a high-level injury, you can improve your posture, endurance and stamina which, as Rob has shown, can lead you to being able to fulfil work and other ambitions,” he added.
Rob thanked the Neurokinex team for their work. “Thanks to the team at Neurokinex, I have strengthened my core which enables me to sit up straighter in my chair and stand for longer at my desk,” he said. “The Neurokinex team also instilled in me the confidence and ability to study and work while the physical activity helps my mental release. Before my accident, I was very active and Neurokinex is like going to the gym for me: I feel good afterwards and it makes a really big difference.”
“I’m really pleased to have got this far and have a great sense of achievement,” he said. “To anyone else who is facing similar challenges, I’d advise them to accept things are going to be harder but they’re not impossible. It takes a lot of organising to keep on top of things but with the right level of support you can make it all work,” he added.
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