Emma’s Story - Rebuilding a life, one day at a time

Her journey has not always been easy. She has faced significant challenges that would have stopped many people in their tracks. Yet Emma has shown extraordinary courage in rebuilding her life and taking positive steps towards her goals. 

Building herself back up 

In 2010, after a crisis and bravely deciding not to take her own life, Emma fell and sustained a serious injury that left her in a wheelchair with no feeling from the waist down. After spending time in several hospitals and later moving into a residential care home, she eventually found her new home at Cobblestone Court supported living service in Liverpool. 

It was there that she began rebuilding not only her confidence, but her life. 

“I was at a really low point. I didn’t feel any hope, and I thought this was it. I could have put a hot coal on my leg and I wouldn’t have felt a thing,” she said. 

“I was angry at the world, but one day I had a lightbulb moment. I thought, ‘I can’t change my injury, but I can change everything else around me.’” 

With that realisation, Emma found the determination she needed to start transforming her life. She reconnected with her faith, began working with personal trainers at the gym - which has led to incredible upper body strength - and has started building strength back in her legs, relearning how to walk. 

When Emma first came to the service, she was understandably guarded. Life had taught her to protect herself, and trusting others did not come easily. But with time, consistency and the right support, she began to open up. Today, if something matters to Emma, she speaks up proudly. 

Unlocking her potential 

One of Emma’s biggest achievements is her commitment to learning. She has thrown herself into personal development and completed a range of courses, including: 

• Mental health and wellbeing qualifications 

• Counselling-related training 

• First aid 

• A variety of personal development certificates 

She loves showing her certificates to the team and is genuinely proud of the knowledge she has gained. 

“I left school without qualifications and got into trouble. But since lockdown, I’ve now earned 18 certificates,” Emma continued. 

“I have ADHD and I always thought I was dumb. But it just means your brain works differently. You just have to learn how to work with it, not against it.” 

Looking to the future, Emma’s next goal is to go to university, where she hopes to train to become a primary school teacher and put her life experience to good use. She has already begun gaining experience by mentoring a young child with autism and working as a teaching assistant. 

“I just love life. If someone had told me five years ago that I’d want to become a teacher, I would have laughed. But now I’m ready. I’m just waiting for my references to come through so I can get started.” 

Road to independence 

It is Emma’s confidence, positive attitude and determination that have led her to start thinking about moving out of supported living and living independently, following in the footsteps of her close friend Joe, who recently did the same. 

While her achievements are entirely down to her resolve, the Lifeways team at Cobblestone Court played a crucial role in helping her stay on the right path, encouraging her to persevere even on difficult days. 

“I just want to say thank you to the team - for their time, their patience, and for always giving me a chance,” she said. “Their support has helped me get to where I am and now I’m really looking forward to the future.” 

Please note:

The above account contains descriptions of a suicide attempt and struggles with mental health, which some readers may find distressing.

If you are feeling overwhelmed, struggling with your mental health, or having thoughts of suicide, you are not alone. Please consider speaking to someone:

• Samaritans: Call 116 123 (free, 24/7) or visit samaritans.org
• Shout: Text SHOUT to 85258 for free, confidential support 24/7
• Mind: Visit mind.org.uk or call 0300 123 3393
• Papyrus (for under 35s): Call 0800 068 4141 or text 07860 039967