Student paralysed from waist down after fall graduates as doctor

A "brilliant" student, has remarkably overcome paralysis from the waist down after a tragic fall from a tree, to graduate as a medical doctor. At just 19, Xander Van der Poll fell from an ancient oak tree during a dog walk in Lavender Hall Park close to his Solihull home.

The fall of three metres onto the tree's roots left Xander with a broken back and punctured lung. He was taken to hospital where had to undergo a nine-hour surgery and a four-month stay, a rugby enthusiast he was faced with an uncertain future.

Yet, against all odds, seven years later, he earned his degree from the University of Bristol and is currently a doctor working in A&E at a Birmingham hospital.

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Now going by Dr Van der Poll, the 25-year-old, reflected on the tragic accident and said: "I really did a number on myself. You just don't expect it to happen to you. I was in incredible pain for a few weeks and I was really worried about all the things I couldn't do. I thought I wouldn't be able to be a doctor, play rugby or just have a normal life."

His recovery was bolstered by family support, especially from his mother who was present daily during his ordeal, reports Birmingham Live.

In an inspiring demonstration of resilience, just six weeks post-accident, he took his first-year medical exams from the confines of his hospital bed, facilitated by the University of Bristol which organised for an invigilator to supervise there.

The university has praised Dr Van der Poll, describing him as a standout medical student who "aced" his studies and received an award for academic excellence. His prowess extends beyond medicine into para sports,