Born in Torbay, Chris attended several schools, some private some state.
Failed the majority of his GCSE’s, but refocused at South Devon College before working in a bar for a few years, joining Nortel then leaving Nortel. Met his partner, Clare in 1999 before joining a legal firm in Paignton as a personal injury claims advisor. After a dubious start and a general wake up call by the senior partner, I turned my job around and they offered to cover the cost of a course through ILEX (the Institute of Legal Executives, one of the three main routes to becoming a qualified lawyer) which I found extremely challenging. Because I was getting married at the end of April 2002, I decided to postpone my exams until November of that year.
At about 8.15am on 14 August 2002, while travelling to work on a scooter, I was hit by a Cherokee Jeep. I was left with serious head injuries and a very badly broken leg – the latter requiring several operations and the fixing of an external-fixator. After four weeks in hospital, and two days at home, I insisted my wife took me out in the car “for a drive”. While waiting at traffic lights, we were hit by car from behind; my wife had serious whiplash, which meant that she was unable to care for me.
I was also affected by serious post-traumatic stress disorder but, with the support and encouragement of family and colleagues, I was determined to sit my ILEX exams the following May. My wife, Clare also studying through ILEX to become a solicitor, was a great encouragement. During my studies, though, I had numerous further operations on my leg and face. Around this time I was told that I needed a bone graft on my leg because a serious fracture hadn’t healed – and if left untreated, the only option was amputation.
The bone graft was extremely painful, but still I continued with my studies with ILEX arranging for an invigilator to come to my house, enabling me to sit my exams at home. I had also investigated the possibility of having my leg amputated as I was living on a diet of pills to kill the pain. After our first son was born, I looked in the mirror and saw a young man in the shape of a 90 year old; in serious pain, my leg was deformed and I felt I was restricting everyone around me. It was then that I contacted Exeter Mobility Centre, where I was treated like a human being and told I wasn’t “crazy” for wanting to have my leg amputated. I also spoke to amputees who had had their limbs removed as a result of injuries. They all seemed to have a much better quality of life than me. After discussing it with my wife, I made my decision. I sat my last ILEX exam in June 2006, and passed. The following day I made the decision to have my left leg amputated above the knee.
For four years I lived with the consequences of a painful leg injury. Then I made the tough decision to amputate…
I gained Fellow status in January 2007 and consequently proceeded to set up a specialist limb loss and catastrophic injury department within a firm in Tavistock. Clare & I then decided to take the next giant step of setting up our own law firm, Linnitts Solicitors. Since then we have rebranded as Beyond Legal. There are very few legal firms specialising in amputee or catastrophic claims; as an amputee, I believe I can relate to people’s circumstances as well as providing personal expertise in this field. I can show clients that their life is just beginning by identifying their needs early and leaving them confident that have the support and coaching are being managed proactively, in turn enabling them to concentrate on their own rehabilitation.
Every day to me is unique and extremely challenging. Although I do not require special adaptations, I have difficulty each morning actually fitting the leg on my residual limb. I also face the burden of people not realising that I have one leg; I am often bumped into by people at a supermarket or in the street, causing me to lose my balance and fall or I may simply slip. However, I work full-time and, should I ever need any help, all I have to do is ask. I live a normal life, though I am always somewhat surprised when people see me without my leg as they simply do not know where to look or what to say. I feel this is why I can offer potential clients a unique service, because I truly understand the everyday hurdles they have to overcome. I coach how to perform under pressure, how to be your best self no matter the circumstances and I have great legal knowledge.
I feel this is why I can offer clients a unique service, because I truly understand the everyday hurdles they have to overcome.
I attended the Paralympics talent day in London and was fortunate enough to have been selected to train in archery for the 2012 Paralympics, subject to being successful in various tournaments. Unfortunately, I was unable to dedicate my time to the training and instead put 100% into Beyond Legal. None of the above would have been possible if it were not for the fantastic people I have met. My wife has supported me through everything, as have friends and colleagues. Being an amputee is both extremely challenging and rewarding, I feel a strong sense of achievement and am very proud of who I am. My career is a promising one and I now look forward to each day with an enormous sense of pride that I will help another person to be their best self.