Rob Hope & Cat Neill on Trauma, Recovery and Peer Connection

Shoulder to Shoulder is a collection of inspiring conversations about the positive impact of peer support.

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In this moving episode of Shoulder to Shoulder, Cate speaks with Rob Hope and Cat Neill, two survivors of catastrophic injury whose lives were transformed by the power of peer support.

When Rob lost his arm in a motorbike crash — and was left fighting to save his leg and shoulder — and Cat nearly lost her leg while out running, neither imagined their recoveries would become intertwined.

Rob faced months of vulnerability and

adaptation after his his accident. Cat spent five months in hospital and endured nine limb-saving surgeries. Both discovered Day One Trauma — a charity that helps anyone affected by major physical trauma rebuild their life — and it was there that their paths crossed.

Rob became Cat’s peer supporter, offering honesty, flexibility, and lived experience at the moment she needed it most. Their story is one of survival, connection, and the extraordinary difference peer support can make when medical care alone is not enough.

We discuss:

• What it feels like to face life-changing injury overnight
• The role of Day One Trauma in recovery and rebuilding lives
• How peer support creates hope when everything else feels lost
• Rob’s journey from trauma survivor to peer supporter
• Cat’s “why not me?” mindset and the resilience it sparked
• Life after trauma — mountains climbed, milestones reached, and lessons learned

Whether you’re navigating recovery yourself, supporting a loved one, or working in healthcare, Rob and Cat’s story is an inspiring reminder that no one should face trauma alone.

Useful Links & Resources:

• Day One Trauma Support: https://dayonetrauma.org/