“I’ve done things I never thought I’d do with a spinal injury”
Oliver Ingram sustained a severe spinal injury in a road traffic collision in August 2022 including T12 and L1 burst fractures with retropulsion and facet joint dislocations. He’s learning to walk again, but his drive and determination took him out to the golf course shortly after he was discharged from hospital.
Olli had only started playing golf around a year before his collision as one of his friends was planning a golf stag do for the following year. He wanted to make sure he could play a game before he went. Soon after his accident, golfing became a huge passion of his.
As part of his rehabilitation programme, funded by his legal claim, Olli was introduced to the Matt Hampson Foundation. He says, “The foundation is nothing short of amazing. They’re a real community and have a real family feel to them. They encourage everyone to get living and to not allow anything to hold you back.
The facilities at the centre are amazing, and through hard work and determination the physiotherapists and occupational therapists managed to get me walking with crutches, using a hoist with crutches, and using a para-pit frame. They are still actively trying to help me work towards walking. It might take a while, but we’re all determined to see it happen.”
In June 2023, Olli was invited to play golf with Mike Tindall as part of the Mike Tindall Celebrity Golf Classic. He says, “I ended up in a bar after the event with Mike Tindall, Zara Tindall and one of the Weasley twins from Harry Potter. It was a bit of a surreal moment, but I’d never have found myself in that position if it wasn’t for the team of people behind me from both the Matt Hampson Foundation and Irwin Mitchell, motivating me to get back out there and play golf and pursue my passions."
Since the crash, Olli has played in multiple golf tournaments across the UK and around the world, coming first in his category at the Majorca Open in 2023. Olli also won the Disabled Golf Open last year which was held at the Shire as part of the Golf Trust's Golf Day, another charity Irwin Mitchell work closely with.
Through attending competitions and events, Olli has managed to gain a bit of traction within the golf community. He’s now the ambassador for Power Based Tec, who are providing him with his own para-motion machine, a specialist golfing wheelchair that raise the user to a standing position so they can swing a golf club freely. Olli uses a lot of his free time helping others in similar situations to him, raising awareness and using Power Based Tec’s training days and clinics to show others how to use the machine.
Olli’s an ambassador of Horsley Lodge Golf Club in Derbyshire, where he has a free membership so he can continue to work on his craft. He plans to set up a golf day there with multiple charities and companies that have assisted him since the crash.
“I really want to give back to the community and help others that might have gone through accidents like mine.” says Olli. “I want to show disabled people who may believe sports are no longer something they can enjoy or invest in after experiencing an accident or injury, that they absolutely can, and there are loads of resources and organisations out there to help.
“Golf has a special place in my heart, some of my favourite memories are playing with my dad after my accident. He’s always been a keen golfer, so he’s really supportive of me, he even caddies for me at my tournaments and events. He can get emotional watching me play, he’s so proud of how far I’ve come, and I love that this is something we can enjoy together.”
Olli wants to inspire others in similar situations to his own. He said, “It can be daunting to get back into sport after sustaining a serious injury. You’re not always sure of what you can and can’t do, but with the right support network around you and enough grit and determination, you can still do anything you set your mind to. Anyone can get involved in golf, sports, or other active hobbies. Getting more disabled individuals into golf is one of my missions.
“Don’t give yourself time to focus too hard on your low points, get out there and channel your energy into the things you love. Surround yourself with people who lift you up and motivate you too. I would have been really lonely following my diagnosis if I hadn’t taken the step to get out there and try new things, it’s amazing what you can accomplish if you just look ahead and keep moving. Things get easier over time, they really do.”
“We believe in building strong links with charities and organisations that align with our values.
“We’re delighted to forge partnerships with charities like with The Golf Trust and sponsor its Going the Extra Mile campaign as we support Dan. Through our work we see the crucial role that sport can play in a person’s rehabilitation. The Golf Trust carries out great work in helping make golf accessible to everyone, including those with life-changing injuries who may have thought their golfing days were over.
It’s really inspiring to be able to work with the charity even closer with this partnership and see what we can achieve together.”
Louise Forsyth - Medical Negligence Legal Director
If you, or a loved one’s suffered a life-changing injury, and you need support, guidance and help accessing rehabilitation, please reach out to our caring and professional team.
Edition 5 - Summer 2025
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