He had just left New Scotland Yard with a few of his colleagues when he was tragically hit by the terrorist who drove onto the pavement on Westminster Bridge – the attack which sadly left him paralysed with a spinal cord injury.
The impact of spinal cord injury
The injury had a tremendous impact on Kris’ life. Everything had to change, from not being able to work as a police officer anymore and helping keep London safe, to even the everyday struggle of simply getting washed and dressed. Spinal cord injury changed it all, and Kris had to learn to live life very differently.
His home was soon transformed and adapted to include a wet room, a lift, widened doors and a new kitchen with adjustable heights. Daily medication is needed to assist with Kris’ severe nerve pain and spasms and he is unfortunately no longer able to do certain things that he once enjoyed before paralysis, such as kicking a football with his kids.
Not only did the terrorist and injury impact Kris himself, but his family, mainly his children, suffered too. They were very young at the time, and keeping what happened a private matter until they were old enough to understand was important to Kris and his recovery.
While the incident was unthinkably tragic, it brought Kris, his family and loved ones closer together. His gratitude for their support is unmatched, and even his old work colleagues and school teachers have expressed their support for his new journey.
A new life – spinal cord injury personal stories
Kris’ children were only six and four when he was injured, but he had separated from their mother a couple of years after the incident. After being single for a year, he’s back in the dating game and has been with his girlfriend for just over a year.
Before the injury, his sporting passions were watching Tottenham Hotspur and playing a round of golf. Luckily he has kept both passions in life; with a wheelchair season ticket at Tottenham and the use of a Paragolfer for golf days.
His passion for disability golf grew when he was able to play for Team Europe in the 2022 Cairns Cup, a disability Ryder Cup-style golf tournament. In 2024, he’s heading up the event as Vice Captain, which will be held in the USA and an incredible opportunity and celebration of how far he’s come in recent years.
With exercise becoming a staple in Kris’ life, he also recently took up swimming, regularly practising in his hydrotherapy swim spa for rehabilitation and fitness.
Help from Aspire Law
‘’As you can imagine, a life-changing injury like this hugely impacts anyone. I am so lucky to have great support around me from family and friends but also every day I try to look forward and not back. Through blogs, inspirational talks and social media I try to reach out to those affected – whatever their injury – and let them know that there are people, like Aspire, who want to help, whether that be financially or emotionally.’’
As a law firm specialising specifically in spinal cord injury, we were honoured to support Kris and help him get the personal injury claim he deserved. Many of the fantastic rehabilitation tools he’s had access to would not be possible without an expert claim, and we are proud to have managed the process. Get in touch with us today to discover more about personal injury claims and how we can help, and keep an eye out for future spinal cord injury stories.
