Think Therapy 1st - A brain injury case study

When our clients were told: “You can’t” we helped them show they could!

Emma Roddis I ’M Gary Mackinder. On the 28th August 2019 at roughly 11:30pm my life changed in an instant. I was cycling home when I was hit by a car. I was unconscious for 3 days with a double fracture at the base of my skull and a bleed on the brain as well as other injuries.

After 1 week I was home, little did I know that the brain injury would take 18 months of my life and still counting...

Initially my attitude was ‘I will be ok’ but after 8 weeks I realised how wrong I was! Then I was offered help from Think Therapy 1st (TT1st). From day one it has been amazing. In my first assessment with Emma Roddis (Clinical Lead Neuro Specialist Occupational Therapist) it was decided that I needed to have specialist therapy.

IMPACT AND EFFECTS

My brain injury involved: Fatigue, loss of purpose, short term memory loss, post-accident amnesia, no sense of smell or taste, headaches, vertigo, muffled hearing in one ear, intolerance to loud noises, avoiding crowds, loss of appetite, no attention span, no balance and muscle weakness in all parts of my body. I would have no Emma got me physiotherapy and a neuropsychologist which made a huge difference. But it was hesitation in recommending Think Therapy 1st Contact: Helen Merfield, Managing Director the Occupational Therapy with Samuel McFadyen - Hudgells Solicitors Mobile: 07971-798462 Emma that helped me achieve the big milestones like: Creating a daily routine - managing household duties, cooking meals again, being able to enjoy watching documentaries (remembering what was in them!!), playing on PlayStation.

MY GOLDEN MOMENTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

One of my biggest achievements was getting back on my bike and returning to my full time job. I’m back to driving a forklift truck even though a consultant told me I never would, (Emma made sure I could do that too). Coming to terms with my injuries, learning to understand them and dealing with my frustrations that was massive. I’m back to 95% of my old self. I have learned to use strategies; I plan and prioritise. My decision making is more in-depth, I weigh things up more.

I’m not put off by busy places anymore and I can remember what I’m doing when I go out. I can shop, enjoy meals out, I don’t get lost or confused. I now walk 7 miles a day, I redecorated (that was one of my projects) and I enjoyed it! If I wouldn’t have had Occupational Therapy I would be nowhere near where I am now, I wouldn’t even be 60%, I wouldn’t have been anywhere near able to go back to work, I wouldn’t have been back on a bike - I would never have faced that. Samuel McFadyen from Hudgells Solicitors said: “Think Therapy 1st have been pivotal in identifying, recommending and delivering a first-class rehabilitation package. The return to work was of the upmost importance and a significant goal for our client. Emma has been a vital linchpin in the rehabilitation process for our client and equally valued and trusted by both solicitors in the case to ensure the best possible input and outcome”