A WARRINGTON dad who was unable to walk after a serious back injury has transformed his life.

Matthew Livesey, from Woolston, used to play rugby until he suffered two ruptured discs at the bottom of his spine.

The injury means Matthew has severe nerve damage and chronic pain that will have to be managed for the rest of his life.

He needed six hours of surgery to even be able to walk again and was left unable to continue with his career as a manager in retail.

He also had further operations, including having a spinal cord stimulator fitted.

With four kids to provide for, Matthew needed to find a new career so he decided to start a degree in computer networking at The University of Salford.

After three years of hard work, he graduated today with a first-class degree and has already found a job in his chosen field.

He said: “It was my dream to get a first, I’m so proud of myself for dealing with everything and still coming out with that. My wife has been my rock through it all.

“Going back to university after so long was daunting enough but on top of everything else, with my family and my injury was tough at times.

“When the accident happened my legs were numb and I couldn’t walk. There was no way I could carry on it retail.”

Matthew says the hardest part of his recovery was the mental side and he suffered anxiety and depression as a result.

Since gaining a first-class degree, Matthew has landed himself a job with Pheonix Medical Supplies, working in their IT department.

He added: “The biggest hurdle was the mental side of recovery l. It was a delayed reaction, you begin to realise what you’ve been through.

“I suffered from depression and anxiety. But the staff were so supportive, I can’t thank the lecturers and staff enough.

“Coming to Salford has got me exactly what I wanted and I now have a work-life balance that I’ll be able to cope with for the rest of my life.”

Faiz Jathwa, Matthew’s tutor at Salford, said: “Mathew's journey is truly inspiring, a testament to his resilience and determination. Confronted with significant health challenges, he navigated adversity with unwavering resolve.

“His triumphant achievement of a First Class (Hons) in Computer Networking reflects not only his academic achievements but also his extraordinary perseverance.

“Matthew's story is a beacon of motivation for us all, showcasing the incredible outcomes that stem from a resilient and determined mindset."