Rebuilding after a life-changing brain injury
I had been on a night out with my friend, when we accepted a lift home.
We were on our way home when their car crashed.
I don’t remember anything about that night but have been told I was cut free by firefighters. My injuries were so severe I was taken to the Major Trauma Centre in Leeds.
I broke several bones, including my ribs and injured my spleen and lungs. I also had a bleed on my brain. My parents were initially told it was only a small bleed and I would be ok.
But whilst I was in a coma my family were told it was a serious bleed and I had a life-changing brain injury. They had to prepare for the worst. I might not wake up after my operation, and if I did, I might not walk or talk again.
When I woke up, I was confused. I thought I was 16 years old and still at school. I was 23 and had a job. My right side would not work and I couldn’t communicate with my worried parents.
Although I couldn’t talk, to everyone’s surprise I could sing. I sang an entire Adele song – word perfect. I’ve later been told that speech and singing use different parts of the brain. Music became my solace and I would sing along to a playlist my sister put together for me. She even wrote me a song.
I was in hospital for four months. I don’t remember waking up for the first time. But I do remember being hoisted out of my bed into a chair. And then in a wheelchair, thinking this might be it for the rest of my life. I had hope though and was told I would walk again. But I had a long journey ahead of me.
The biggest impact on me and my family was my brain injury. Surgery meant I had parts of my skull missing. I had a titanium plate fitted a few days before Christmas. This resulted in swelling and I couldn’t see out of one eye.
Thankfully for us we had Day One Trauma Support by our side.
A caseworker had visited my mum on the ward during the early days. And then remained with us throughout my recovery journey. She would regularly come and see me and we could chat. Most importantly I knew she was there for my mum and dad.
My dad wasn’t working at the time and my mum was spending most days with me. An emergency grant covered the costs for travel so they could be with me every day without having to worry about money so much.
Day One also signposted my parents to their legal panel. My parents hadn’t even thought about legal support as they focused on me. They chose a firm who were fantastic. They helped us secure some initial funds for my rehabilitation, which included singing lessons as music therapy helped me. We know we have a long legal case, but they have helped us understand the challenges and provided so much support around my brain injury as they know so much about other people like me.
The emotional support from Day One for my mum was great. This whole experience was all new to us. We hadn’t experienced anything like this before, so for my mum to have someone to offload to was a big help.
People don’t realise the family need support as much as the patient. For someone to come and help us when we needed it meant the world.
That’s why I was so proud to go on and fundraise for Day One last Christmas. It felt great to give back, and even better knowing my donation would be doubled.
The Christmas before my crash I was hardly at home as I met friends and spent time celebrating. Suddenly I was reliant on my parents again. Stuck at home. With a swollen head. Unsure of my future.
I’m still on my recovery journey. I’ve lost my sense of smell and taste. I still get very confused and muddled and can’t do so much on my own.
But I think positively about the future now.
I have a bus pass like an old lady and am starting to go back to the gym. It’s taken two years to get this far and I know I have a long way to go. But I have my family, friends and Day One by my side to tackle whatever the future holds.
The consequences go on beyond the immediate impact of the injuries.
The hospital stay, the months of agony and chronic exhaustion; the waiting for bones to heal, the fear and loneliness; employment loss, drained finances, legal battles and mental health crises: every area of a life can be damaged.
It is an isolating and terrifying experience.
At Day One we believe no one should go through this alone.
By giving to our Christmas Appeal, you can provide financial advice and support to people who’ve suffered a catastrophic injury – helping to improve their well-being and mental health.
