Richard's story

how having a support system can build independence

An accident altered Richard’s life in an instant; one call to caba helped him rebuild it. Having someone he could count on enabled Richard to continue accomplishing everything he set out to. 

At 21, Richard Cartwright had his whole life ahead of him. His studies in economics at the University of Birmingham were coming to an end, and he had secured a place on a graduate scheme at KPMG. But before he was to start the next phase of his life, Richard was making the most of student-hood while he could.

Having a supportive employer meant Richard could hold on to some normality and shape his life the way he had hoped – even if it looked slightly different now.

After nine months, one week, and a day, Richard went back to work. His role and duties were the same, the office looked as it did before, but only now Richard was set in a very different chair.

Richard continued to adapt to his new life with the support of his employer and family. Though Richard had been aware of caba’s services throughout his entire career, it wasn’t until he was looking to move into his own house that caba was also thrown into the mix.

the phone call that changed everything 

When Richard called caba for the first time, he was introduced to a support system that would stick by his side. ‘’The first time I contacted caba, it was when I was looking into my own house. It was a house that I could get into, but it wasn't naturally accessible. I needed a wet room, and ideally to have a bedroom downstairs.’’

 He approached caba to see if they would support such adaptations and was absolutely astounded to learn that they would.

‘’When I heard the news that caba were going to support the adaptations to my property, I was over the moon incredibly delighted – almost lost for words. But what was amazing is that supported in finding a reputable contractor, meaning I didn’t have to seek one out myself. I felt reassured that the work was going to be completed quickly and with reputable builders – and that was really important for me.’’

With the support of caba, Richard was able to maintain his independence – and this was further affirmed when his car which he’d had for nine years, finally gave up. ‘’At that point, I wasn't driving myself and, I wondered whether this would be an opportunity for me to get on the road and drive a vehicle for the first time since my accident.’’ he said. caba supported Richard in applying for the Access to Work grant, which eventually enabled him to get back on the road. 

After his accident, Richard started playing wheelchair rugby, even helping to set up a club. ‘’Chairs are not cheap. I desperately wanted to play, but I didn't have enough money to buy my own chair.’’ Luckily, Richard knew he could count on caba, and through them he was able to carry on engaging in one of his passions.

when you have someone to rely on, so does your family

‘’Living with a disability makes it difficult for me to do some of the things that, a dad would normally do. But the support I've received from caba has meant that my house is more accessible, and I can do as much as I possibly can within it.’’

But caba’s support goes beyond just helping Richard – it helps his family by extension. ‘’I can now take my family out for the day and do school runs – the things that a parent normally does without much thought, just by having a really well adapted property and a really well adapted car.’’

When Richard first contacted caba many years ago, he had no idea that one phone call – something people do many times every day – would change the whole course of his life. 

‘’Without caba, I'd probably still be living in a home that wasn’t fit for purpose. I’d have had to save up and use all my income not just to do those normal things, but for the bare necessities, and I'd probably be a decade behind in my life.

‘’When I first started to really understand – not only the extent of my disability, but also the costs of living a normal life that come attached – it was pretty daunting. Knowing that caba was there – not just in the first instance, but for the rest of my life – has been hugely reassuring. It could have been an isolating time in my life, but I never felt alone.’’

For many people, reaching out isn’t easy – something that Richard acknowledges. Asking for help is just not something that comes naturally, for myself as a chartered accountant, and for many people like me. ‘’

caba knows the difficulty of asking for help all too well – and endeavours to make it as simple as possible. ‘’They make it a very enabling process. It's literally a case of picking up the phone to get started or dropping them an email,’’ Richard says. ‘’The application is simple; the decision times are modest, and they get back to as quickly as they can.’’ 

‘’I think not only as a one off, but the support that they've given me is something that has helped me and my family every single day. One thing my accident has taught me is that you only get one go at life.’’ 

Richard has gone on to become a chartered accountant, non-executive director, speaker, principal enterprise fellow, and even a volunteer for caba. Though his life initially didn’t go as he planned, with the support of caba, he's achieved everything he set his mind to.