Whickham Villa News

The determined 22-year old is currently undergoing a gruelling training regime in the Health club at Chase Park Rehabilitation Centre in Whickham in a bid to make one of the regional disabled rowing clubs and then stand a chance of qualifying for the national team.

Scott, from Gateshead, is aiming to become one of the UK’s top 50 disabled rowers to compete in the single skull event and then eventually take his place alongside the elite members that make up Team GB’s Paralympics’ rowing team.

Whickham Villa LLP, which operates Chase Park Rehabilitation Centre, Millfield House Care Home and Whickham Villa health club, has partnered with serious injuries Solicitors Irwin Mitchell to support Scott with club fees, sponsored kit and free access to the rehabilitation centre’s fitness resources and expert staff. In just a few months, the passionate sportsman has already generated interest from several of the region’s top rowing clubs.

Scott’s injury left him disabled back in 2007 and requiring several operations and sustained rehabilitation treatment. He said: “Having spent time at Chase Park Rehabilitation Centre during my recovery period, I became aware of their fantastic facilities and specialist staff. So naturally I was delighted and very grateful to be able to make this my hub for training and relaxation.

“I am determined to represent the region in Paralympics’ rowing and am working very hard to achieve this goal. If not in 2012, my dream still remains to fly the flag for the North East and of course Team GB on the international stage. I also hope my approach to actively living my life inspires others to face their fears and get involved with sport regardless of their disability.”

Scott currently undertakes five sessions a week with one of Whickham Villa Health Club’s dedicated personal trainers to build his strength and endurance to be able to compete at the highest level. He also trains at Durham rowing club, although this has been hampered by a lack of adaptable equipment at the club due to funding cuts.

He added: “As disabled rowing is not a mainstream sport, the facilities at Durham are pretty limited. Our aim is to hopefully raise awareness of the sport and secure some funding to get the type of specialist equipment that is only currently available in Teesside, which of course is not ideal for those like me based on Tyneside.

Alongside his love for rowing, Scott will also begin a degree in Law later this month at Northumbria University in Newcastle.

 Boda Gallon, chief executive at Whickham Villa LLP, said: “Scott is a real inspiration and we were more than happy to support him with training needs. He is a great example of how our specialist rehabilitation services help clients get back into the community to live healthy and independent lifestyles.”

With a 25-year track record, family-owned Whickham Villa LLP is a leading neuro rehabilitation healthcare provider in the North-East and primarily supports people with acquired brain and spinal injuries as well as complex neurological conditions and severe disabilities across its array of services.

Complementing current healthcare reforms, Chase Park Rehabilitation Centre’s approach has been developed to reduce long term care costs by enabling people to be discharged from acute settings more quickly and providing interventions earlier in the rehabilitation process. Such an approach also means outcomes for the client are better in terms of improved quality of life, greater community involvement and successfully regaining independence.