Help Paramedic Mim Uglow Walk Again
Donation protected
Mim is a Paramedic based in Cornwall. Following a cycling accident that has initially left her paralysed from the neck down, she faces a long battle to recovery. Her friends and colleagues in the Ambulance Service, her “Green Family”, would like to raise money to help with this long journey.
Let us tell you a little about Mim, our friend; the paramedic, the cyclist, the runner; wife and mum; kind, loyal and funny. We hope you can support this fundraiser in any way possible, donating money, running other fundraising events or even just sharing this story so others may help.
The Accident
On Tuesday 20th April 2021, Mim’s life changed in a split second. Whilst out cycling, just one mile from home, her bike slipped on loose gravel and she fell, with devastating consequences. Unable to move, Mim immediately knew that she was paralysed from the neck down. Once stabilised, she was airlifted to Derriford Hospital and a rollercoaster of emotions continued.
Following scans and emergency treatment, Mim received the promising news that her spinal cord was not severed, however hopes of a quick recovery were immediately dashed. Her spinal cord was severely swollen and compressed within the small bony space of the neck. The longer the swelling remains the more permanent her injuries will be. At this time, it is impossible to say how much more she will recover or if she will walk again. What we do know is her rehabilitation will be a long, challenging and both mentally and physically exhausting for her and her family.
One month since the accident she remains paralysed from the neck down with minimal movement. Mim still has to spend most of her time laid completely flat. She has begun to spend a short spells sitting up in a wheelchair, dependant on others to hoist her and has to put her trust in others for her personal care, feeding and communication with family and friends. This is something we all fear, but Mim is strong and determined and her spirit is fighting every step of the way.
Funding
Mim is a remarkable hard-working paramedic. She is also proud and independent, and despite everything, argues that many are worse off than her. However, her “Green Family” know what lies ahead and the support she will need.
Following immediate treatment she will face months and maybe even years of rehab. Initially this will be at the Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre in Salisbury, three hours’ drive from home but hopefully she will be then able to come back to her home near the Devon and Cornwall border to continue her recovery.
Mim is married to Ashley and their world has been turned upside down. They have a farm on the Devon and Cornwall border and two young boys. Ashley is desperately trying to look after their boys, the farm, and make the 6 hours round trip to visit Mim.
In additional to medical and possible surgical treatment, Mim will need emotional, physical and financial support. With the best will in the world, the NHS will not be able to meet her needs. To name but a few, she will need physio, occupational and aqua therapy, mobility aids, a specialist bed, transport, communication aids and ongoing personal care. Most important to her is to still be a“mum” to her boys .
Mim Uglow – Wife, Mother, Paramedic, Sports Person, Friend……
Many of you will know Mim. Mim is a paramedic based in Cornwall and is loved by everyone that knows her. Having joined the Ambulance Service over 21 years ago, she has never faltered in her dedication, touching so many lives in such a kind and positive way. Mim’s life has been committed to serving her community, ensuring that she provides the best quality care and support to those around her.
If you know Mim, you are blessed. If you don’t, then I cannot underestimate how lovely she is. She is kind and thoughtful, her laughter is infectious and she has an amazing rapport with everyone. She is determined, stubborn and refuses to address her own needs before others. She loves exercise, particularly running and cycling and having had this taken away from must truly be soul destroying.
As a frontline paramedic, the last 12 months have been immensely challenging. Mim has been in the forefront of the pandemic, dealing with the extreme levels of demand and caring for sick Covid patients on a daily basis - having to make the agonising decision at the end of every shift on whether it is safe to return to her family. Each day during the pandemic she kissed her young boys goodbye and consciously made the decision to put others before herself and her family. Then, just when the threat of Covid appears to be lifting, this has happened to her.
HELP
We know many of our friends and colleagues in the Ambulance Service have really struggled with not being able to “help” Mim. At this time there are no gifts to buy as she has little or no ability to use them, we cannot send flowers or visit and make her laugh. We can’t sit and have coffee or lunch whilst we reminisce about our years together, but what we can do is donate a little money which will help provide the bigger things. We can share this post amongst our colleagues throughout the South Western Ambulance Service, throughout the running and cycling communities, the farming communities, with our friends and families and even with strangers throughout the country.
Now is the time for us all to give Mim something back – to give hope and support to an outstanding paramedic, friend, and colleague, the stranger who helped you when your need was greatest and whose future has been changed beyond any imagination.
We will update this page as will follow Mims battle to return to some sort of new normality.
Let us tell you a little about Mim, our friend; the paramedic, the cyclist, the runner; wife and mum; kind, loyal and funny. We hope you can support this fundraiser in any way possible, donating money, running other fundraising events or even just sharing this story so others may help.
The Accident
On Tuesday 20th April 2021, Mim’s life changed in a split second. Whilst out cycling, just one mile from home, her bike slipped on loose gravel and she fell, with devastating consequences. Unable to move, Mim immediately knew that she was paralysed from the neck down. Once stabilised, she was airlifted to Derriford Hospital and a rollercoaster of emotions continued.
Following scans and emergency treatment, Mim received the promising news that her spinal cord was not severed, however hopes of a quick recovery were immediately dashed. Her spinal cord was severely swollen and compressed within the small bony space of the neck. The longer the swelling remains the more permanent her injuries will be. At this time, it is impossible to say how much more she will recover or if she will walk again. What we do know is her rehabilitation will be a long, challenging and both mentally and physically exhausting for her and her family.
One month since the accident she remains paralysed from the neck down with minimal movement. Mim still has to spend most of her time laid completely flat. She has begun to spend a short spells sitting up in a wheelchair, dependant on others to hoist her and has to put her trust in others for her personal care, feeding and communication with family and friends. This is something we all fear, but Mim is strong and determined and her spirit is fighting every step of the way.
Funding
Mim is a remarkable hard-working paramedic. She is also proud and independent, and despite everything, argues that many are worse off than her. However, her “Green Family” know what lies ahead and the support she will need.
Following immediate treatment she will face months and maybe even years of rehab. Initially this will be at the Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre in Salisbury, three hours’ drive from home but hopefully she will be then able to come back to her home near the Devon and Cornwall border to continue her recovery.
Mim is married to Ashley and their world has been turned upside down. They have a farm on the Devon and Cornwall border and two young boys. Ashley is desperately trying to look after their boys, the farm, and make the 6 hours round trip to visit Mim.
In additional to medical and possible surgical treatment, Mim will need emotional, physical and financial support. With the best will in the world, the NHS will not be able to meet her needs. To name but a few, she will need physio, occupational and aqua therapy, mobility aids, a specialist bed, transport, communication aids and ongoing personal care. Most important to her is to still be a“mum” to her boys .
Mim Uglow – Wife, Mother, Paramedic, Sports Person, Friend……
Many of you will know Mim. Mim is a paramedic based in Cornwall and is loved by everyone that knows her. Having joined the Ambulance Service over 21 years ago, she has never faltered in her dedication, touching so many lives in such a kind and positive way. Mim’s life has been committed to serving her community, ensuring that she provides the best quality care and support to those around her.
If you know Mim, you are blessed. If you don’t, then I cannot underestimate how lovely she is. She is kind and thoughtful, her laughter is infectious and she has an amazing rapport with everyone. She is determined, stubborn and refuses to address her own needs before others. She loves exercise, particularly running and cycling and having had this taken away from must truly be soul destroying.
As a frontline paramedic, the last 12 months have been immensely challenging. Mim has been in the forefront of the pandemic, dealing with the extreme levels of demand and caring for sick Covid patients on a daily basis - having to make the agonising decision at the end of every shift on whether it is safe to return to her family. Each day during the pandemic she kissed her young boys goodbye and consciously made the decision to put others before herself and her family. Then, just when the threat of Covid appears to be lifting, this has happened to her.
HELP
We know many of our friends and colleagues in the Ambulance Service have really struggled with not being able to “help” Mim. At this time there are no gifts to buy as she has little or no ability to use them, we cannot send flowers or visit and make her laugh. We can’t sit and have coffee or lunch whilst we reminisce about our years together, but what we can do is donate a little money which will help provide the bigger things. We can share this post amongst our colleagues throughout the South Western Ambulance Service, throughout the running and cycling communities, the farming communities, with our friends and families and even with strangers throughout the country.
Now is the time for us all to give Mim something back – to give hope and support to an outstanding paramedic, friend, and colleague, the stranger who helped you when your need was greatest and whose future has been changed beyond any imagination.
We will update this page as will follow Mims battle to return to some sort of new normality.
Organizer
Dr Angus Macdonald and Charlotte Hicks
Organizer
England
