Grovedale’s Brenton Bell reveals life as a paraplegic, how he regained his independence in accessible home

A 62-year-old has revealed how a spinal surgery meant to save the use of his legs left him paralysed.

Grovedale resident Brenton Bell is a paraplegic after a surgery complication four years ago. He has been able to regain independence at his house. Picture: Alan Barber

Brenton Bell has regained his independence after years of relying on support workers around the clock.

Four years ago, the Grovedale resident got an infection in his spine.

The 62-year-old said once it was diagnosed and treated, he had to use the following six months to learn to walk again.

But just as he was getting back on track, he got a call from the hospital.

He said staff told him they’d seen pieces of bone “destroyed” by the infection “floating around”, with a concern they could hit his spinal cord, leaving him paralysed.

Brenton Bell. Picture: Alan Barber

Mr Bell said he took the option of surgery to remove the fragments and a portion of his vertebrae, but when he woke up after the nine-hour operation he was unable to feel his legs.

“They immediately scanned me again, and spotted a blood clot that was pushing on my spinal cord,” he said.

“They went back in to get rid of the clot, but the damage was done.”

Mr Bell was permanently paralysed from the waist down.

He said he was angry for “quite a while” at the situation, as he had lost his independence.

Mr Bell said after more than a year in rehabilitation, then living in transitional housing, he secured a house in Grovedale.

He worked with Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) developer and former Geelong mayor Keith Fagg, with funding from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), to design his space.

Mr Bell said his specially designed home had helped him become independent. Picture: Alan Barber

He said the home allowed him to reach his goal of regaining his independence.

“I was having support workers here 24/7 for about two and half, three years,” Mr Bell said.

“Now, every day from 3pm in the afternoon to 8pm at night, I have no support workers here.

“It’s time I can spend just enjoying my own company, and doing what I like to do.”

The custom-built home includes features like an accessible bathroom, bedroom with hoists, and the oven, dishwasher, microwave, washing machine and dryer are all placed so Mr Bell can use them independently.

Mr Bell said he’d also been able to cook for himself again, keep himself busy, and pick up old hobbies including carpentry.

“I’m very appreciative to reach goals that I didn’t think were possible,” he said.

“I can pretty well go anywhere, do anything (able-bodied) people can do.”

Mr Bell will be among the millions marking International Day of Persons with Disability on December 3.

He said anyone facing a similar situation to his own should remember “acceptance is a big thing”, and it would come with time.

For more information, visit www.idpwd.com.au/

Originally published as Grovedale’s Brenton Bell reveals life as a paraplegic, how he regained his independence in accessible home