Halstead man felt 'imprisoned' after cancer paralysis

David Bateman, a 53-year-old father from Halstead, Essex, described feeling 'imprisoned' in his home after being paralyzed due to spinal injuries caused by cancer. He said he felt abandoned and unsure how to cope with his new reality.

Bateman was diagnosed with a tumor growing inside his spinal cord in 2017 and underwent treatment for his rare cancer. In 2023, he awoke paralyzed from the chest down during hospital treatment and was told to 'go home and make memories.'

He remained in hospital for three weeks but was not referred to a specialist spinal unit. Bateman described his time at home as difficult, with limited mobility and a fear of accidents, leading to a sense of isolation.

After watching a documentary, Bateman and his wife discovered the existence of specialist spinal units. He began receiving support from the Spinal Injuries Association (SIA), which he credited with transforming his life.

Bateman's cancer is now described as 'stable,' and he now works with SIA and East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) to help others facing similar challenges. His experience has influenced care teams to provide better support for spinal injuries.

A senior cancer nurse at Colchester Hospital admitted a heavy focus on treating Bateman's cancer may have resulted in less support for his spinal injury. She noted that hospital teams have since become more aware of the SIA and the importance of patient feedback in improving care.