Ben Timmings taking part in the student Christchurch campus blood drive he set up for physiotherapy students.
Self-described as accident-prone, Ben Timmings has first-hand experience of bloody and brutal injuries.
From a severe crushing incident when he was just eight years old, through to sporting accidents of varying degrees, the fourth-year physiotherapy student is very familiar with the sight of blood.
Close to completing his second degree at the University of Otago, the born-and-bred Dunedinite explains how setting up a scarfie blood drive was always on the agenda for him, and he’s glad to see this come to fruition in his final year of study.
Currently on placement in Christchurch, Ben says he had hoped to do the drive last year when he was President of the Physiotherapy Student Association, but his busy calendar resulted in it being delayed.
Now, as the student representative of the Christchurch campus, Ben decided to take advantage of a professional study week from 16-20 September – when tauira return from their most recent break – to host the drive.
“I’m elated to see that nine people came and donated,” Ben says.
“We even had several students book to donate blood and plasma ahead of time. It’s fantastic to see how eager people are to show support for this cause.”
Each person’s donation can save up to three lives and, after having a severe injury himself when he was young, Ben knows the value of others playing their part in healthcare.
Kaimahi and tauira wait for their turn to donate blood and plasma.
When he was eight, he had spent the afternoon playing with brothers and friends when he reached behind a large and heavy TV to adjust it. It crashed down, crushing his foot.
He had to be in a wheelchair for weeks before transitioning to crutches and wore a cast for months before finally being able to walk again.
However, he was left with a duck-footed walk, which needed physiotherapy intervention to correct – an experience that would turn into his inspiration for becoming a physiotherapist.
“I’ve wanted no other job since that accident.
“While I’m so glad I completed my first degree in 2019 in Exercise and Sport Science – because it’s been intrinsic to informing my physiotherapy degree – becoming a physiotherapist was always the plan,” Ben says.
His recovery journey enabled him to live a life filled with sport and fitness and he wants to be able to help others do the same.
– Kōrero by the Division of Health Sciences Communications Adviser, Kelsey Swart.