On the 1st February 2020, Andrew was hit by a car as he was crossing the road. His mother Lorraine found Andrew at the scene of the accident being treated by the paramedics.
Andrew had temporarily moved in with his parents following a change in employer and was looking for a new flat at the time of the accident. Andrew worked as a chef and performed magic shows at events and for charities. He was fully independent with all aspects of personal and domestic activities.
Following the accident
Injuries - multiple complex fractures to his jaw, vertebrae and left leg. He also sustained a traumatic brain injury.
Andrew was admitted to St George’s Hospital in Tooting and initially ventilated on the Neuro Intensive Care Unit before being stable enough to be moved to the neuro rehab wards.
The original plan was for Andrew to be moved to an inpatient neuro rehabilitation centre but due to Covid 19, he was discharged home on 20th March 2020. He was referred to NHS community rehab services but was never contacted by them. Early rehab was essential for Andrew to progress.
Main issues - weakness and reduced range of movement in his left leg, and cognitive and communication difficulties including problems with memory, planning and fatigue. Andrew also lost his sense of taste and smell.
Treating these issues
Rehab - neuro specialist OT, PT, SLT, neuropsychology and neuropsychiatry. A strong MDT was established to work with Andrew and his family, in particular his mother who suffered psychological difficulties because of Andrew’s accident and the trauma of seeing him immediately at the accident scene.
Recovery has been significant over the last 18 months. Andrew had the metal work in his leg removed and is now fully weight bearing with improved strength and movement. His goal is to now complete a sponsored walk to raise funds for St George’s Hospital (17 miles from the accident scene to the hospital).
SLT – worked on communication as Andrew was verbose and tangential following the accident. Social communication has been much improved, and Andrew is better able to control his responses in a variety of situations.
Occupational Therapy - ADL life skills and he has made a return to independent living. Funding for rent on his own flat was secured. Rehab has continued within Andrew’s own home. Rehab has also worked on fatigue management and memory strategies. Also taken place in the pub where Andrew used to work, and he has now been able to return to consistently working 6 hours a week although in a new job role as he is no longer able to work as a chef.
Neuropsychology - worked on mood, fatigue, memory, and cognitive skills, with joint working with OT. Also provided psychological support for his mother.
Neuropsychiatry reviews for fatigue management medication
Regular MDT meetings – normally every 3 months. Really strong therapeutic relationship between all of the MDT, family and CM.
Andrew now also has a girlfriend and has returned to socialising with his friends.
Comments from the client:
Andrew says:
“Having such a close relationship with Kathryn and my therapy team has been so important for my rehabilitation. I have trusted them all throughout and know that they always make the best decisions and recommendations for me.
They have provided me with motivation and encouragement to achieve my goals, listened to my wishes and given me back my independence. I am now living in my own flat independently, back at work and feel so much more positive about my future. I have been able to return to performing my magic shows and feel so much more in control of my own life.
I feel like myself again. It is important to me that I give back to St George’s and the NHS staff who saved me, which is why I’m focused on completing the charity walk. I want others to be able to see how far I have progressed so that if they are in the same position, they are motivated to work with their therapy team and case manager, knowing that they too can improve.”
Next year we will be supporting Andrew’s charity walk from Dorking to St Georges Hospital in Tooting, with some of our team joining Andrew, his mum Lorraine, and their friends and family on this feat.
Andrew is an inspiration to us all, and our associate Kathryn Rowe worked excellently in this case to generate real results for the client and his family.