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Care and Rehabilitation

Colin’s Story

“On the 11th of April this year, my journey began unexpectedly after what seemed like an ordinary lunch. On my way home, I fell down the stairs at Tower Hill Tube Station. I have no recollection of falling, tripping, or anyone pushing me.

I ended up in the Royal London Hospital. One of my son’s friends, who happened to be walking past, recognised me as I fell and called the ambulance. It was a nasty fall, and three ambulances arrived. They almost shut the station because of the incident.

For the first four days, I had no idea what was happening. My wife told me that I was quite contentious. On the second day, I had a stroke, and the surgeon told my wife that I might not make it. It was quite dodgy.

Four days after the fall, my wife asked me if I knew where I was. I thought I was in Haslemere, watching telly. She told me I had been in hospital for four days. It took me a long time to accept it wasn’t just a dream. Now, three months later, I am trying to recover.

I spent five weeks at the Royal London Hospital before being moved to the Royal Surrey hospital in Guildford, where I spent three weeks. It was when I was there that my wife did extensive research and found this place (QEF). Rehab was the name of the game, and I could have easily died before. Now, the last thing I want to do is die. I want to live and am prepared to do whatever the people here want me to do if it helps me improve.

I’ve been here for five weeks now, and I am signed up to stay until the 1st of August, but my key workers, Zoe and Rachel, applied for another six weeks, so I’m here until mid-September. Things have improved. I had a catheter, which was very painful, but it was taken out yesterday. That was one of my main aims for coming here.

I have physio every day with Rachel and Zoe, and it’s going well. I’ve been standing with knee blocks, and the other day they had me in a Zimmer frame. I’ve lost all my inhibitions. I never thought I’d be comfortable with people wiping my bottom, but now I couldn’t give a damn.

My right arm, which wasn’t moving at all when I came here, is now as good as my left. I’ve had MS since 2006, affecting my left side, but fortunately, it’s my left side because I’m right-handed. My left leg is stronger than my right leg, which I can’t move at all. The staff say they can feel the muscles trying to fire up, but I can’t move it.

I believe the inability to move my right leg is either a result of the stroke or the fall. We’ve asked for the CCTV of my fall from London Transport but haven’t received it yet. My wife has been a saint, visiting me almost every day despite the long journey from Haslemere to the Royal London Hospital.

I hope to walk again, but if I can’t, I might need adaptations to my car and house. I can’t wait to get home, where I believe I’ll recover faster. My wife and family visit often, and I enjoy their company.

Before the accident, I was retired since 2010. I worked as a governor for a local state junior school for about four years, played golf with a buggy, and enjoyed theatre and cinema. I worked for AXA as an accountant before retiring early due to MS.

I’m determined to live and recover as much as I can. I advise anyone in a similar situation to commit fully to their therapy. The more you put in, the more you get out.

Regarding funding for QEF, I think people with friends or relations who’ve suffered might be inclined to donate. My wife ran for the Samson Centre in Guildford, and I know people who raised funds for it. If I were to fundraise, it would be for places like this, where I’ve received significant help.

I’ve moved on from needing a hoist to using a SARA Plus to transfer from bed to chair. I’m more confident sitting on the edge of the bed now. My brain is rewiring itself, and I’ve peed twice on my own since the catheter was removed, which makes me seriously happy.

I believe focusing on small achievements is key. Little things like peeing on my own give me gratification and hope for the future. If there’s one message I’d give to others, it’s to listen to your therapists and commit fully to your rehabilitation. “

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