A Scots family from Shetland are raising funds to get their paralysed son to Glasgow after he was accepted onto a revolutionary trial which could change the lives of those who have suffered a spinal injury.
Graham Nicolson, 58, was told by doctors that his son, Scott aged 30, would be eligible for the potential life-changing trial if he made the move from Lerwick to Glasgow.
The clinical trial will involve Scott's hands being strapped to an upside down bicycle machine whilst doctors try to detect electrical pulses from the brain to control his arms, similar to other successful studies carried out in Switzerland
Scott, who was a volunteer for the RNLI and Marine Engineer, lost all sensation below his shoulders after he was involved in a car crash in October 2020 on Shetland.
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Dad Graham told Glasgow Live: "We got a phone call at 2am from the local hospital. When we got to the hospital he was in the intensive care room with a spinal collar on.
"The doctor told us that the C5 bone in his spine was broken. We were informed that they were waiting to hear back from the Glasgow spinal unit to find out what was happening next.
"It was proposed that Scott would be taken to Aberdeen to stabilise his neck then transferred to Glasgow. We booked flights to Aberdeen and just as we were leaving the phone rang.
"We were notified that the emergency services had done such an amazing job they were going to take him straight to Glasgow. Luckily we managed to change the flights and flew down."
When Graham and his wife arrived to be at their son's bedside they were asked not to step foot in the room with Scott as Scotland was still battling the Coronavirus pandemic. They watched from the other side of a glass window as their child fought for his life.
Doctors at Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital were quick to operate on the crash victim and manage to take bones from his hip to stabilise the C5 bone and used titanium plates to hold it.
Scott was sedated from the moment he arrived at Lerwick hospital until the middle of December - two months laster. When he came round he was still hooked up to a ventilator and was left very confused when he woke up 368 miles from home
Graham explained: "He didn't know what was going on and we had to tell him that he was in Glasgow.
"This was all done through video call because we weren't allowed in the same room. He had a phone stand in front of him so we could speak to him."
Scott feels nothing from the shoulders down, he is capable of supporting his own head and shrugging his shoulders. A month following the harrowing incident the family were told by medical professionals that there was a slim possibility that he would need a ventilator for the rest of his life.
However, on New Year's Day 2021 Scott facetimed his parents from his hospital bed to speak to them for the first time.
Now, the 30-year-old, a recently elected member of Shetland Community Council, has his sights set on an innovative trial on April 11 which could eventually change the lives of those living with spinal injuries.
He told Glasgow Live: "I have nothing to lose but everything potentially to gain.
"I'm excited to see what could happen but obviously under no illusions. It's possible nothing could happen so hoping for the best, but being realistic."
Graham added: "The way it was described to me is that they are trying to pick up electrical impulses from the brain above the break and see if they can control their arms.
"It could revolutionise the treatment of spinal injuries. They've done similar things in Switzerland and they've had guys paralysed from the chest down walking again.
"What people need to remember is this is a trial. Even if they do get to work his hands and his arms, as soon as the machine is off he is back to what he was.
"But if it does work they can work on computer programmes and work on getting it miniaturised.
"Even if nothing comes out of him he will be on the list for future trials and he is not just helping himself he is helping others as well."
As the study is only for outpatients the family is now raising money to help shoulder the cost of moving their son to Glasgow.
With the Nicolson's paying for seven months rent, bills and carers to ensure their son will be available for the potentially groundbreaking trial. But the cost of hope is priceless for Graham.
The 58-year-old said: "As any parent would do, you expect the best.
"But at the end of the day we're realists and it is a trial. The sheer fact we are able to get him down to Glasgow for the trial means we are moving forward.
"With him being accepted onto the trial it means the light at the end of the tunnel has got a little bit brighter."
So far the JustGiving page has raised over £16,000 which has left the family gobsmacked. Graham said: "We've been blown away by the support.
"I want to thank the people of Shetland and friends outside of the island for donating.
"I'd also like to thank the spinal unit in Glasgow for all their help since Scott arrived there in 2020."
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