Josie was nine when her 22-year-old brother Tom sustained a high-level spinal cord injury in a snowboarding accident. Tom would never walk again. Today, Tom is a skilled software engineer, creating code through speech. He still goes skiing, they’re planning a family trip to Ibiza for his 40th birthday this summer, he has a wife and has two children. Josie is raising money for Back Up, to help the charity that supported her whole family through an incredibly traumatic time.
Josie Nabarro, 26, London said, “The whole concept of running 26.2 miles is challenging. But it’s amazing to see what you can achieve when you put your mind to something. My eldest brother Tom is testament to that. On the 3 April 2007, our family’s life changed. Tom, who was 22 at the time, had been in a snowboarding accident in Bulgaria.
“I remember the day I found out with crystal clear clarity. I was nine years old and with my Dad at the zoo. He took a phone call and went really quiet. Then simply said, “Tom’s been in an accident. I need to go and see him.” After a period of uncertainty, and some touch and go moments, we learnt Tom had sustained a high-level spinal cord injury. Tom would never walk again.
“Following emergency surgery to stabilise his neck, he was transferred to Stoke Mandeville hospital. He was there for 1.5 years. There’s a 13-year age gap between me and Tom but we’ve always been close. I’ve always looked up to him and as my big brother, he’s played a ‘protector’ role in my life. I remember seeing my active, strong, healthy brother surrounded by medical equipment but I didn’t really know what it meant. I was so young that I didn’t grasp the seriousness of it all and I couldn’t fully comprehend why everyone around me was so sad.
“It was incredibly hard to watch Tom lose weight, see his injuries and scars, and witness him looking so weak. I helped to feed Tom, gave him drinks – further strengthening our relationship in this difficult time. We were sharing new experiences together, and we learnt more about each other too. As I grew up and Tom got better, the initial fears ebbed away. I watched him overcome obstacles and my fears were replaced by massive admiration.
Josie continued, “Following Tom’s accident, Back Up was there for support. They took Tom on an adaptive ski karting course in Sweden where he was surrounded by others with spinal cord injuries. It gave Tom an opportunity to push outside of his comfort zone, experiencing activities he didn’t think possible. Tom is also a mentor to others with spinal cord injuries, guiding them through one of the toughest periods in their life.
“That’s why I’m running the London Marathon to fundraise for Back Up – to support their effort in helping other individuals, and their families, when they face a spinal cord injury.”
Every four hours, less than the average time it takes to complete the London Marathon, someone will sustain a life-changing spinal cord injury. It can cause partial or full loss of movement, affecting everything from bladder control to sexual function. You may need to use a wheelchair and adjusting to life with a spinal cord injury can be overwhelming for the whole family. Thanks to the money raised by Josie and Back Up’s team of eight participants, the charity can help more people with spinal cord injury to realise their full potential.
Josie said, “Tom has encountered the hardest challenges and constantly strives to be the best human he possibly can. He’s a skilled software engineer, working on complex computer software, creating code through speech. Tom is doing everything he was before. He still goes skiing, we’re planning a family trip to Ibiza for his 40th birthday this summer, he has a beautiful wife and has two amazing children. He just happens to be a tetraplegic. For us, his injury feels like a minor detail about his exciting life.
“He continues to inspire me to be the best I can be too. He’s my biggest supporter and continues to positively influence my life. I am constantly grateful for the joy he brings to me.”
Josie continued, “My family is very athletic. Growing up in Switzerland, we all love skiing. But I only took up running during lockdown to support my mental health, and I use it as a form of meditation today.
“Seeing thousands of runners supporting so many charities in the London Marathon is always incredibly inspiring. There is an amazing story behind every runner. For me, the marathon isn’t about getting a great time. I want to raise money for Back Up and help the charity that supported my brother and our whole family through an incredibly traumatic time. I am so proud to be part of #TeamBackUp.”
To support Josie and donate to #TeamBackUp, visit https://2024tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/josephine-nabarro
