Neil Joisce

Sport has always been a major part of Neil’s life. Having played rugby to a high level, including junior international rugby, he has since go on to build a career around coaching and helping young people through sport.

In March 2002, while playing rugby, Neil sustained an injury that damaged the peroneal nerve in his right leg. Several months later, he was diagnosed with foot drop.

His mobility was affected almost straight away. Tasks that had once been part of his normal daily routine became difficult, and without support he began to experience frequent stumbles and loss of balance. "My life stopped totally. There was nothing I could do,” Neil recalled.

With a young family and an active lifestyle, Neil suddenly found himself facing more than just the physical effects of foot drop. It also affected his confidence as he tried to make sense of a condition that was unfamiliar to him. "I lost my confidence and became very insecure and unsettled," Neil said. "For a while I just stayed at home until I understood what was out there to support me and help manage my foot drop."

Even simple daily activities became a source of concern. Neil recalls falling while carrying cups of tea through his kitchen, spilling the drinks and burning himself in the process.

Having spent years involved in sport, both as a player and a coach, Neil found it difficult to accept how much his life had changed. “My confidence took a nosedive. It went rock bottom,” he explained. “All my sports – golf, rugby, cricket, tennis, squash and badminton – just stopped overnight.”

Everything changed when Neil was fitted with his first Silicone Ankle Foot Orthosis (SAFO) from Dorset Orthopaedic. Although he was nervous about trying the device for the first time, those concerns quickly disappeared once he began walking in it. Reflecting on the moment, Neil said: “When I put it on and walked up and down the corridor, I felt like my world had started again. The weight off my shoulders had gone.” The moment was overwhelming for Neil, who said: “I was so happy that I cried. I felt ready to start my life again.”

Over the past 20 years, Neil has continued to work with Dorset Orthopaedic as his needs have changed. Regular reviews and ongoing support have allowed his orthoses to adapt as his lifestyle has become increasingly active. “The support has always been there,” said Neil. “If I've got any questions or concerns, I can contact the team and they'll help me.”

As his mobility improved, Neil was able to return to activities he had previously thought were no longer possible. He returned to coaching and refereeing rugby and was able to take part in sport with his family. He also began a new chapter in his career, becoming a PE teacher and bringing his passion for sport and supporting young people into the classroom.

While foot drop initially limited what he could do physically, his SAFO gave him the support he needed to become fully involved again.

Today, Neil runs Sport 2 Aspire, a local alternative provision which specialises in supporting young people throughout Southampton, Portsmouth and Hampshire, reengage back into education. Through physical activity, the programme aims to build confidence and help young people develop skills they can use both inside and outside the classroom, whilst inspiring personal and social development.

In recent years, Neil’s involvement in sport has taken him further than he ever expected. What began as adapting to life with foot drop eventually led him to para-badminton. He now competes internationally for Ireland, travelling to compete at elite-level events around the world.

To support Neil’s participation in para badminton, Dorset Orthopaedic developed a specialist SAFO tailored to the demands of the sport. “The one I’m wearing at the moment has been enhanced for badminton,” Neil explained. “It gives me more structure for the mobility and movement around the ankle.”

Neil is now working towards qualifying for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games, with international competitions forming part of the qualification process. For Neil, the possibility of reaching the Paralympics is something he never imagined when he was recovering from his injury. “Because of the support I've got and because of the injury I had, my world has opened up,” he said. “There's no way I would have contemplated trying to go to the Paralympics.”

Away from competition, Neil continues to value the confidence his orthosis gives him in everyday life. His SAFO is discreet enough that many people do not realise he has foot drop. “If I'm walking on the beach, nobody really realises I have a disability,” he explained. “I'm just an average Joe.”

For anyone newly diagnosed with foot drop, Neil’s advice is to seek support and focus on what they can still do. “Don’t be scared of it. Be open about it. Talk about it and seek support,” Neil said. “You are able to do more than you think you can.”