Dr. Ed Hudson was just 23 years old when he was knocked off his bike by a motorist on a suburban street in Nottingham in February 2018. A newly qualified Doctor of 8 months, he was on his way to work in general surgery at Nottingham University Hospital.

Despite the low-speed collision being relatively minor, Ed’s injuries were critical. He suffered a fractured and dislocated neck (C4/5) which required extensive surgery. Following the operation, he was placed in a medically induced coma for 10 days and remained in the ICU on a ventilator for 44 days. Doctors warned his family that there was a 50/50 chance he would require permanent ventilation.

In this moving and unwaveringly honest update, Ed shares with us just how far he has come since his accident 7 years ago. Marriage, becoming a dad, and a career change, he shows us how anything is possible with the right love, support, and a bucket-load of courage.

The early days after the accident

Following the accident Ed spent 8 months in hospital during which he became very frustrated by the lack of progress. “I am an extremely motivated individual” explains Ed. “For around 2 months nothing happened, and I became reliant on my girlfriend, now wife, Izzy, also a Doctor, to help me with basic bed rehabilitation and psychological support. It was a very dark time for us both.”

His frustrations led him to heavily research his rehabilitation options, focussing on the very latest technologies and methodologies available. From an early stage, he knew that he wanted to get access to an exoskeleton, intensive technology-driven rehabilitation and frequent hydrotherapy.

“High-level quadriplegics tend to be written off in terms of rehab, especially if you are a complete injury like me. It’s probably because people think we have so little function that not a lot of improvement can be made but if anything, it’s the opposite. The really small incremental gains that you have to fight hard for, make an enormous difference. I don’t stand once in the spinal unit but stood at least 3 days a week whilst at STEPS. I then use that program to stand five times a week still today. If I don’t stand, all my other symptoms are worse.”

Under the expert care of the interdisciplinary team at STEPS, he made incredible progress and in May 2019 was discharged home to a newly adapted rental property where he moved in with Izzy.

Returning home

After leaving STEPS he was supported by his Case Manager, Katie Ryall (Spinal Injury Case Management Ltd), whom Ed describes as “just brilliant”. He recounts how going from an intensive rehabilitation setting where everything is organised for you as a bit of a shock. “You become the metronome, setting the pace and rhythm of your day. You have to manage everything and everyone.” Katie subsequently made the move from case management to become the Referral and Admissions Coordinator at STEPS, a move that she made in 2022.

“Being very reflective, and without wishing to sound too philosophical, I think in some ways it was easier for me to adjust to being a tetraplegic, rather than a paraplegic. That may sound strange but as a tetraplegic every single aspect of your life is done differently, so you adjust to that mindset quickly. I think also being in completely new surroundings meant I wasn’t constantly reminded of things I could no longer do.”

Never afraid to push the boundaries, in October 2019 Ed and Izzy decided to take a holiday to Vancouver for a Board Game Convention. “We had to work everything out for ourselves, from organising insurance, how to manage my chair and other essential equipment when travelling, and, quite scarily, how I was going to manage pressure relief on a 10-hour flight! Believe it or not, there was no guidance!” As it turned out, their painstaking planning paid off, but Ed’s planning didn’t stop there.

Miracle baby

The move into their new home came just at the right time, because a month later, Ed and Izzy welcomed their first baby into the world – Tabitha. The couple had been trying for a baby for only a few months when Tabitha was conceived in February 2024.

Ed acknowledges that there has been an element of good luck involved when it comes to conceiving. The couple were already using a male vibrator – Ferticare – which they knew worked for them. Prior to conceiving Tabitha they sought the advice from a spinal neurology specialist who admitted that there was not enough data or evidence available on the best method to conceive, so they put their faith in nature…and Ferticare!

“Starting a family was a fundamental life goal for us both. Career, marriage, family…it was very much our plan prior to the accident, and for a time I thought my injury meant that everything was off the table. Having children was really important for both of us, and I am overjoyed that Izzy has been able to experience pregnancy, childbirth and becoming a mum. It’s a huge life milestone for her.”

Whilst 2024 was been a year of milestones, it was also a bittersweet one as Ed’s mum passed away from cancer in September 2024 having never met Tabitha or see them move into their forever home. “I take comfort from the fact that she knew all these good things were coming to us though” says Ed.

What next?

Not content with hitting all their lifegoals, Ed and Izzy are also committed to helping others following complex trauma injuries and illness. They are 2 of 6 Trustees of a new charity, STEPS Rehabilitation Foundation that aims to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities following injury or illness to help them access specialist rehabilitation services and equipment.

“2025 feels very much like the first year of the rest of our lives” continues Ed. “My law exams will soon be finished, and I think we can then relax a little bit as life will be back on track, and I’ll be back in the driver’s seat. I’m looking forward to working on legal cases where people have sustained life-changing injuries, like me, and being able to show them that life can still be what you make of it."

There is an assumption that, “well that must be it then” after an injury like mine, but with the right support it’s amazing what can be achieved.

Ed's latest case study was written for and featured in the Brain & Spinal Injury Handbook 2025/2026.

Ed's previous case studies can be viewed here:
Ed's Story - Spinal cord injury following a cycle crash - STEPS Rehabilitation
Dr Ed Hudson returns home following 9 months of intensive rehabilitation at STEPS. - STEPS Rehabilitation