"Our client, Rosie, is a pleasure to work with and support. She’s determined to overcome any obstacle, and always has a smile on her face, despite the daily challenges she has to overcome. The fact I get to help make sure her future is brighter is incredibly rewarding, and it’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly.
I’ve worked within the Asset Management team at Irwin Mitchell for 16 years. We support people who’ve received settlements following a catastrophic injury, as they try and rebuild their lives. Using our experience and expertise, we work closely with our clients to build trustworthy relationships and understand their needs so we can provide the best advice possible.
Following a road traffic collision, Rosie was left with a C5 spinal cord injury and her case was being led by Stacy Clements from our Serious Injury team.
I met Rosie and her Dad at their house around six months before her settlement. Initially, we had some difficult conversations, but only so I could fully understand how Rosie’s injury impacted her life, what her needs were and what her journey would be like in the future. We needed to make sure Rosie’s finances would protect her for the rest of her life, given her need for regular physiotherapy and 24-hour care.
We started by going to a bank in Sheffield to set up an account for Rosie, and as much as the branch wanted to assist her, it wasn’t inclusive for a wheelchair user. I therefore considered other branches, making sure Rosie would have a car parking space, and would be able to enter the building and sign paperwork easily. Scoping everything out so the process was seamless put Rosie at ease and we managed to set up her account smoothly. It may seem like a simple thing but it can make a huge difference.
Throughout her case, we’ve built a trusting relationship, and working with Rosie is a privilege. We meet for regular check-ins, but she knows I’m always at the end of the phone if there’s anything on her mind. Each client we look after is supported differently depending on their injury, their level of independence and ultimately their goals in life. One of Rosie’s aims has been to move into a bespoke and fully accessible adapted house. We’ve supported her with the financial side of the build, and have also used our contacts to find the right people to make the property as perfect as possible. I’m looking forward to seeing the house once it’s finished, it’ll be fantastic.
One of the highlights of my career was witnessing the moment Rosie’s villa in La Manga was finalised. We helped her to manage her finances as she supervised the design and adaptation of the property. She loves warm climates and challenges, and watching her journey as she took charge of the project in a foreign country was incredible to see. Sure we helped a little, but it was Rosie’s determination and drive that got the job done. Rosie now owns the only property at the resort which provides suitable accommodation for wheelchair users.
Rosie is extremely resilient and hasn’t let her injury hold her back, despite having to adapt everything she knew. I’m proud that together with my team and Stacy, we’ve played a small part in helping her achieve her ambitions - that’s the human touch that mattered."
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