Look Over our previous cases
Look Over our previous cases
SANDY’S STORY
Sandy, 52 years old lives in Sherbourne, Dorset, an aircraft engineer, happily living his married life with his wife Kate. Sandy is a well-known active member of his community. He has a passion for rugby both as a former player and fan and loved days out with Kate in his Camper van “Gladys”. Life was good with everything to look forward to.
A devastating accident at the end of 2017 left Sandy’s in a deep coma relying on a ventilator to support his breathing. A fall down the stairs resulted in a severe bleed on his brain. In the days to follow Sandy’s condition continued to deteriorate and Sandy’s wife was given the heartbreaking news that Sandy’s life support would be switched off as the damage was so severe he would not be able to recover from his injuries. However, Sandy was fighting. A sign of life was seen when his right foot was seen to move and here his journey to recovery began.
Sandy remained in hospital care and in-patient rehabilitation gaining strength, learning to sit up again and stand with support. In October 2018 he left hospital to live in short-term accommodation whilst extensive renovations were being carried out at his home as it was no longer suitable for his needs. Thanks to the kind generosity of the local community his home was renovated and Sandy could say he was finally “home” in February 2019.
I became involved with Sandy’s rehabilitation in October 2018 and I have seen him go from strength to strength, always a smile on his face and never giving up. Sandy has a left-sided weakness since his brain injury and gradually over time we have seen his movements strengthen, new movement emerging and spasms, tremors and stiffness decrease. The principles of his physiotherapy have been to promote both sides of the body to be working together in symmetry, challenging his left side to work just as hard as his right side. Sandy also works relentlessly on his own with the vital support of Kate who encourages him every day to carry on. Kate is an integral part of Sandy’s journey and helps Sandy to put into practice what he has gained in his sessions in everyday activities.
Sandy’s aim has always been to be able to walk again. Sandy was strong enough to start walking towards the end of 2018, at first only a few steps and with assistance to step the left leg and the use of a walker. He did not have the movement or the strength to step his left leg on his own however with ongoing practice, determination and Sandy would say his own stubbornness, he has shown amazing improvements. Sandy was making such good progress that the space at home was not enough for quality walking practice, so one session a week is carried out at the local rugby club in order for Sandy to have the space to walk. Sandy calls his sessions “home” or “away” keeping with a rugby theme!
Sandy’s walking is going from strength to strength – now able to step his left leg completely on his own, Sandy is able to walk up to 60 metres during a session using his walker. (no help, just a close eye from me!) From the first 5-10 steps to now close to 200 steps his progress is remarkable. He has benefited from a sturdy ankle brace for his left foot which helps to provide stability when he is stepping on his left leg.
Not only has Sandy’s walking improved, we have also seen quite extraordinary recovery in his left arm with new movement still emerging and an increasing normalisation of muscle tone meaning that previous stiffness has greatly improved. During the accident, Sandy also fractured his left forearm however he is still gaining flexibility in the elbow, wrist and hand.
Most recently movement has been seen in his left shoulder where previously a year ago there was barely a flicker. We have been nurturing this movement whilst keeping the left arm as supple as we can and trying to incorporate his left arm in every-day activities.
In order for Sandy to continue being active on days he doesn’t have physio, he regularly gets on his feet standing to make a hot drink in the kitchen walking along the kitchen counter. The aim is for Sandy to be able to walk more freely at home which will be more realistic once extra space is created with a new conservatory about to be built. We continue to keep therapy fresh with new ideas of how to continue rehabilitation throughout the day into functional every- day tasks.
Sandy continues to have 2-3 physiotherapy sessions per week and he also has support from, a personal trainer and, a Reiki therapist. The combination of therapies, activities, maintaining as much of a normal life as possible, Sandy’s sheer strength and determination as well as the incredible support of Kate, friends and family, together contribute to his amazing progress since his accident.
Sandy and his team continue to strive for more recovery – watch this space!
Update - May 2022
Sandy has continued to show immense courage and determination to recover and there have been further remarkable improvements to share with you.
Sandy’s goal has always been to be able to walk on his own again and I am hugely proud to say……HE’S DONE IT!! Sandy has now progressed to walking with a stick rather than needing a supportive frame and he can walk both indoors and outdoors on his own. He has also mastered 3 steps up to his garden patio. So how has he achieved this?
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- Over time Sandy has been able to work more and more independently on an exercise programme at home which he has carried out diligently. He initially progressed to walking at home with his walking frame with his wife Kate by his side and with continued practice, is now walking independently with a stick. He continues to work alongside a personal trainer once a week @ Communifit Sherborne. As Sandy has been able to work more on his own, the need for intense physiotherapy has reduced and Sandy is currently reviewed every 6 weeks.
- Sandy has gained significant range of motion in his left ankle joint and this has allowed remodelling of his ankle brace. He also benefitted from a carbon fibre lighter ankle brace which fits perfectly thanks to the brilliant work @ Dorset Orthopaedic. The new brace has been a game-changer in Sandy’s walking progress.
- Sandy has great insight into his own recovery and he is his own best therapist! Sandy knows good steps and not so good steps and he is able to self-educate and direct his own rehab! This is priceless and where we have always aimed to be!
- Sandy’s space at home has greatly enhanced his recovery with the addition of a conservatory which gives him space to practice walking without obstacles.
Sandy is an absolute STAR! And his journey continues………..Watch this space!
