Jason Chidwick, specialist rehabilitation case manager and amputee clinical lead at HCML, speaks to Health & Protection about leaving the world of professional football, helping a client who doctors told would never walk away and why Alan Shearer is his hero.
How did you get your start in the sector?
After getting my degree in sports rehabilitation at the University of Hull, I started my career as a physical therapist at Grimsby Town FC and then Walsall FC, working my way up to head therapist with the first team. After five amazing years, I decided that I wanted to get some non-hands on experience, coordinating other clinicians within the mechanical diagnosis and treatment of patients all while having an impact on their patient’s rehabilitation treatment. So, in 2015 I began my journey as a case manager. The diversity of being able to work with clients from different backgrounds with such varying injuries challenges me in so many ways.
What do you enjoy most about your current role?
Being a specialist rehabilitation case manager is definitely not a role that is ever going to become stale or robotic. Every client that comes to me has varying degrees of injury and rehabilitation needs. Ultimately, being able to facilitate multidisciplinary treatment and rehabilitation for clients and have control over what clinicians to use gives me the greatest pleasure in this role.
Helping our clients to receive the best care possible and get the best results possible is our biggest driver. Our aim is to get them back to as well as possible and get them the treatment and support they need to do this.
Amputation is not an easy recovery, but with technology in this arena advancing all the time it’s amazing to be able to try out new initiatives and see the positive impact they can have on a client’s life. Dealing with life after amputation is a huge thing to deal with, and our role goes beyond helping the patient, it also means helping their families cope. It can often mean huge upheaval and change in their life too. Working with clients and seeing them achieve what some doctors may have defined as the impossible is the most empowering moment.
Who is your role model – in life or in work?
When I was a young child, I would have said my role model was Alan Shearer. I supported Newcastle United FC just because he played for them, and he was arguably one of the best English strikers we have ever seen. Shearer is undoubtedly where my interest in football and recovery stemmed from. He was obviously top of his game, something I strive to be daily, albeit in a very different role.
Who has been your most important mentor in your career so far and why?
I couldn’t name just one person. Over the course of my career, I’ve been lucky enough to be surrounded with some fantastic clinicians and experts in their field across case management, specialist healthcare, amputation, technology and beyond. Their enthusiasm and commitment to their patients is the same I strive to have now.
What advice would you give to people thinking about a career in the sector?
Do it. The ability to have such a huge impact on people’s lives is the most rewarding part of this role.
What has been your biggest setback and how did you overcome it?
Leaving professional football was a decision I didn’t take lightly, when it had been my dream through college and university. But after five incredible years I came to the realisation that it wasn’t going to be sustainable for the longer term and certainly not conducive to a work-life balance and having a young family. I overcame that by setting up my own treatment and rehabilitation business and then going on to take the role as case manager at HCML, working extremely hard and many long days to get to where I am today.
Laugh or cry – what did your most memorable client or case make you want to do and why?
One of my most memorable cases involved someone who was seriously injured in a motorcycling accident losing his right leg above the knee, suffering multiple bone fractures and dislocations, extensive brain injury and a number of other injuries. The doctor told him he would never walk again or be able to carry out any day to day activities independently. The recovery and rehabilitation from the injuries he sustained was no mean feat yet he wasn’t prepared to take no for an answer and went on to prove everyone wrong. His determination, positivity and perseverance continues to amaze and inspire me. Just last week we completed a three mile walk together for charity. These moments make me beyond proud.
What’s your ultimate goal for your career?
To be the go-to case manager for amputees for as many insurers and solicitors in the UK as possible. The technology in the field is moving so incredibly fast and I’m incredibly proud to be part of an industry that can make such a life-changing impact to people’s lives. On a more personal level, I also want to be able to assist with amputee charities and get more involved with volunteering and raising their profiles to showcase what they can offer to amputees and make more activities, sports, and events more available and accessible to all.
How would your boss describe you?
Hopefully hardworking, determined, detailed, and also probably a little bit annoying.
What’s your biggest talent away from work?
Outside of work I enjoy squash – depending on the day my talent can be present or very much lacking. I’m sure the rest of my team members will concur with this.
What mantra do you live by?
‘It’s not what you cannot do but what you can do’ – this is certainly something to remember in case management. We don’t rest until we find a solution.
What song would you regard as your theme tune?
This is very cheesy, but I like DJ Khaled – All I Do Is Win and like to listen to this before squash team matches to get me pumped up. Although at home, living with my wife and two daughters, I think it’s more likely to be Beyoncé’s Who Run The World.