Overview
- Ashdown was left paralysed from the neck down after a 19 February 2023 fall during his son’s stag weekend, with scans showing C3–C5 spinal injury and doctors warning of likely permanent paralysis.
- He spent about two months at Hull Royal Infirmary before transfer to Pinderfields Hospital’s specialist spinal unit, where months of intensive therapy took him from total immobility to walking by his October 2023 discharge.
- He declined an elective operation because of risks that included potential damage to his voice, opting for a non‑surgical rehabilitation path.
- Prolonged inactivity caused severe muscle loss of nearly 20 kilograms, which became a central focus of his recovery alongside ongoing outpatient physiotherapy and regular gym sessions.
- Since March 2025 he has ridden an electric adult tricycle from Jorvik Tricycles, reaching 25 miles on a single outing, gaining independence and hip strength as he works toward trying a two‑wheel bike.