People often ask what life with a spinal cord injury is like. The honest answer? Imagine planning a military operation... just to get out of bed.

Well, Lionel will tell that before the day has even properly begun there's medication to take, coffee to kick-start the digestive system, suppositories or bowel care to manage, a shower, skin checks, dressing, and finally the transfer into a wheelchair. Somewhere along the route there may even be an unexpected detour courtesy of doctors, district nurses or a rebellious catheter.

By the time many people have hit the snooze button for the second time, someone with an SCI has already completed enough tasks to earn a Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Here's the funny thing: most able-bodied people think "getting up" starts when your feet hit the floor. In reality, for many people with a spinal injury, getting up actually starts the night before; Planning, medication, equipment, carers, timing... they're all part of what looks from the outside like an ordinary morning.

It's a reminder that we rarely see the effort hidden behind someone else's routine. What appears simple is often anything but.

That's exactly why we place such an emphasis on understanding the whole morning routine in our spinal injury training. It's not just about performing individual tasks correctly—it's about appreciating how every step affects the next, and how good care can make the difference between a stressful morning and a positive start to the day.

Next week on Life of Lionel: We look at the relationship between a carer and Lionel.

What's the one part of your morning routine that most people would never realise takes so much time or thought? We'd love to hear your experiences in the comments.