In the space of just two years, trumpeter Clarence Adoo has reinvented his life - there was no choice in the matter. A car accident on the A1 in August 1995 left him almost completely paralysed, facing the worst kind of certainty about his future.

No choice in the matter? Clarence could have taken the option of a passive acceptance of disability. Instead, he has grasped the opportunities provided by modern technology to snatch back his independence - to hold down a vital and responsible job, and even to contemplate the possibility of playing once more! All Clarence has needed is the ability to move his head, and to suck and blow - skills enough to enable him to perform a string of tasks at his home in Newcastle which the rest of us take for granted.

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The photograph, taken by George Swift, shows how Clarence works today. ‘Sucking and blowing down a tube activates an infra-red box which enables me to answer the phone, switch on the radio, video and hi-fi, open the front door, travel upstairs in the lift, switch on the lights and so on. With the extra help of a beam from a head-set I can easily cope with the computer.’

Phone and computer have enabled Clarence to take on the job of orchestral manager to the band that used to employ him for his trumpeting talents - the Northern Sinfonia. ‘Essentially I fix the orchestra, make sure everyone knows all the details about a concert and that they can get to the date - and I go along to the concert halls wherever possible to see things are OK.’ To enable him to perform that last part of the job, Clarence needs his specially-adapted van and a driver, but I was astounded at how much else in the job he can do unaided. ‘I think most players I ring up about a gig would have no reason to guess that I have a disability. I can take down information very quickly by ‘typing’ on a computerised image of a keyboard on the screen in front of me - I have my little subtle methods for slowing people down if they do go too fast! When it comes to mailing information about a concert all I need is a hand or two to put the information sheets into envelopes.’

It was John Summers, chief executive of the Northern Sinfonia, who decided to give Clarence his chance. ‘I can’t think of anyone else better equipped psychologically to cope with something so awful - he’s just a wonderful guy. He had to tackle a steep learning curve in the job - but that’s the same for everyone, of course. As far as I’m concerned there’s been plenty to learn about just what disability means in practical terms. Watching Clarence cope has given us all new insights into the way we need to provide for anyone who finds it physically difficult to come to hear the orchestra - and that, of course, includes many older people.’

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So far, Clarence has managed triumphantly. The challenge now is to see whether or not he can dare to think of playing the trumpet in public once more - the natural trumpet of course, with which he was already familiar before the accident. ‘The problem of course is the business of not being able to hold the instrument. But some kids from the Royal Grammar School in Newcastle came to suss the situation out, then came back with a stand which holds the trumpet firmly in place for me to blow. A local baroque ensemble has invited me to take part in a concert in December - I’m not sure about it just yet, but we’ll see. I don’t have feeling in my upper chest, but I do have some in my diaphragm, which anchors my breathing. Those who’ve listened so far tell me that the lower notes sound just like the old Clarence, but the upper range doesn’t yet have the power I would like. But these are early days. Crispian Steele-Perkins has just given me the use of a smaller trumpet because he felt it might make things easier for me - if I do get out there onto the concert platform again, he says he’s coming!!’

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In another sense, Clarence has never been short of concerts since his accident. Nor of jumble sales, sponsored bike-rides and coffee mornings. ‘It’s been just amazing how people have got down to the business of raising the money at all kinds of events that’s helped me to build this new life. I’m hugely grateful, and get along to as many occasions as I can to say thankyou. Of course the man I have most to thank is Nigel Hiscock, who’s done an amazing job all along in coordinating fundraising on behalf of the Clarence Adoo Trust.

If I feel there’s something I’m urgently in need of I just ring him up and he takes it on board - and of course there's new equipment coming on to the market all the time that will cost money - I’m very interested in voice-activated telephones and computers, for example.’ ‘It’s amazing how people will ring me up out of the blue saying they’ve raised or would like to raise money for Clarence,’ says Nigel Hiscock himself, a freelance horn-player. ‘Often they’ve never met him - they may have seen him at a concert or perhaps just heard his story somewhere. The Trust is allowed to put money into anything that relates specifically to the effects of Clarence’s accident - we bought his vehicle, helped kit out the house and continue to maintain his electronic equipment, for example. We’re now keen to see how he might be helped by the Miami Project - a US-based organisation that specialises in reviving the nervous system in cases like this one. But this would mean finding the money for Clarence to go the States for six weeks - another challenge.’

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Clarence cannot be certain of continuing to enjoy the current level of funding from public sources which has under-pinned the creation of his new environment. At the moment carers are with him 24 hours a day at a cost of £1,000 a week, but already there is talk of that service being partially withdrawn. Physiotherapy which has freed up his shoulders and looks as if it might bring back some use of one arm in due course cannot be consistently funded from the public purse. ‘I recently had seven weeks of physiotherapy in a pool. Eventually I was able to draw the arm out to the side and then bring it in to the body. The physio said, “Great! By the way, I’m sorry but this is your last session.” The money had run out - that was so frustrating!!

A blip, though, on the graph of recovery for a man who maintains a remarkably positive frame of mind. My Salvation Army background has been an enormous strength. As I lay there in my hospital bed I thought.... “As long as I can have a life where people just come to see me, I’ll be OK”. But it’s amazing what has been possible - every day is a miracle. Even while I was still in hospital I started teaching again! With the help of others and the van I can go to the theatre, to concerts and restaurants, to church..’ Oh....and you’ll regularly find Clarence on the terraces at St James’s Park, watching Newcastle United. The ultimate test of coping with life’s ups and downs. But, says Nigel Hiscock, ‘Clarence is never down - he’s amazing. I’ve known him since student days 15 years ago and he really is the same chirpy person he’s always been’.

The Clarence Adoo Trust Fund c/o Nigel Hiscock, 4 Doncella Close, Chafford Hundred, Essex, RM16 6HB, Tel: 01375 481114, www.clarence.org.uk

All contributions to the Clarence Adoo Trust Fund will be spent on equipment necessary for Clarence. Administrative expenses will be sponsored independently of the Clarence Adoo Trust Fund.

Article by Andrew Green, photo by George Swift.