Greg Faryno - Peer Support Advisor

For Inverness 

TEL: 07957 221 885

EMAIL: [email protected]

Click here to see Greg's up and coming Coffee Meets dates

Greg has been with Spinal Injuries Scotland as a peer support since Jan 2019

Greg's Story

Before my injury, I was living in Poland where I worked as a physiotherapist in a neurological ward, where I helped those with 
neurological conditions including those affected by SCI’s to progress in their rehab. 

In 2005 I moved to Scotland where I started working as a Care Assistant for the elderly. I worked in this position for over 10 years until I had my accident in 2017 when while I was cycling I collided with a lorry.

Before my injury, I was very interested in sports including squash and bicycle racing and even took part in Etape Loch Ness. After my injury, it seemed that I would never get to enjoy these things ever again and I remember feeling quite hopeless about life.

After my accident, I was transferred from Inverness down to the Spinal Unit in Glasgow where I met the Spinal injuries Scotland peer support team. They helped me through the different stages of my recovery.

While I was in the unit I attended the summer BBQ at Castle Semple as a patient, here I was given the opportunity and the confidence to try different activities which I never thought I would do when I was first injured.

When I left the hospital I was in so much pain I could not function on my own. Luckily, I had help from my parents for 6 months, for which I will always be grateful. At that time Spinal Injuries Scotland was expanding into Highlands, with a job position for a Peer Support Advisor and my good friend Stuart McMillan recommended me to them. I was more than happy to accept it as I remembered very well how helpful all the Peer Support Advisors from SIS were while I was at the hospital. Now I was given an opportunity to give something back and I took it without thinking.  

Working for Spinal Injuries Scotland has given me a second chance at getting my life back by helping others who are facing some of the same challenges that I did.