Hi, I’m Tina Ceferin. My life changed dramatically when I was diagnosed with Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES) at the end of 2019. The condition left me with permanent nerve damage, foot drop, and altered sensations in my bowel and bladder. But what it really took was my sense of hope. CES can feel like it robs you not only of your physical abilities but of your future—leaving you in a place of uncertainty and fear. During the pandemic, I was left feeling abandoned, struggling with severe health anxiety, panic attacks, and wondering if life would ever feel normal again.
Eighteen months after my operation, I finally found the Cauda Equina Champions Charity, and that’s when everything changed. They didn’t just offer me support—they gave me back the hope I thought I had lost forever. With their encouragement, I began to believe that I could live a full life despite CES. They helped me see possibilities where I once saw only limitations. With their encouragement and support I started learning to walk backwards and sideways, how to balance and eventually also to hula hoop on a wobble board and ballroom dancing—something I never dreamed of attempting with my condition. The physical challenges didn’t disappear, but my belief in myself grew stronger every day.
Now, I dedicate myself to giving that same hope to others. Through the CES Buddy Scheme and speaking at conferences, I help newly injured members of our community face their own challenges, just like I did. It’s an honor to be able to offer support when it’s needed most, to remind others that even in the darkest moments, there is a way forward. Being able to give back is the most rewarding part of my journey—because I know firsthand what it means to feel like you’ve lost everything, and how powerful it is to find hope again.
