I was planning to go travelling when the world crashed down around me. I collapsed outside a hospital. I had suffered a ruptured AVM and had to have brain surgery, I was only in my 20’s. I went from a fit individual to not being able to walk or use my left side. Even though initially everything seemed surreal and my brain was creating illusions where I was not totally sure what was real and what wasn’t. I did know one thing and that was that, I WAS GOING TO WALK AGAIN, I was determined to!
My life had totally changed and I had a long hard journey ahead of me, one that I am still on and one that seems never-ending. People don’t really understand the effects brain injury has on a persons life and there have been some incredibly difficult times.
I met Helen and Sheryl, 3- 4 months into my journey, initially through a local Neuro-Rehabilitation hospital, where they helped me get back on my feet and sourced equipment that I needed including Functional Electrical Stimulation to help my walking and I got to try the Anti-gravity treadmill to help my recovery. I was walking again through their help, but they also helped with other issues that I faced and were a good listening ear for the frustrations I was facing.
I contacted them after they had set up Orchid Rehabilitation (about 3 years ago) and they have been supporting me with my rehabilitation on and off ever since. They have given me sound advice and helped to motivate me when things were tough. I value their knowledge of physio, their wisdom and positive attitude to life, their patience and determination to help me in my rehab and I value the friendly approach, which has helped me with my confidence and ability to value myself.
I continue to work on perfecting my movement against the tonal issues I have and even though it is years later, I still make progress with Orchid’s help and through my stubbornness. The journey continues and Helen and Sheryl remind me that I have more to work on and achieve.