My name is Ben, and together with his family, I’ve created this space to provide updates about my cousin John Clark, as he continues his recovery journey from a serious brain injury.
If you're here, it's likely you either know John, or you know a family member. So firstly, just a big thank you from us for taking the time to read this, and for helping towards John's recovery.
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Why we're here
John suffered a serious brain injury after falling from height, in Birmingham, on 12th December 2023. Since waking up from an induced coma in ICU at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham almost three weeks later, he has defied prognosis after prognosis. Now over a year into his rehab journey, John continues to make amazing strides in his recovery.
After a few weeks, John was transferred down to London, where he spent 6 months at The Wellington Neurological Rehabilitation Centre in St John's Wood, followed by 3 months at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in Queen Square. Both are specialist centres for acute brain injuries and were amazing in supporting John with his recovery.
John's continued growth and improvement whilst in hospital was amazing to watch. This was largely down to three things—his sheer determination and never-give-up attitude; John's amazing friends, family and the medical staff who have treated and cared for him; and lastly, the regular therapy sessions that John looked forward to every week.
Then, on 19th December 2024, exactly 1 year and 1 week after his brain injury, John left hospital and returned home to live with his Mum and Dad in Debden Green, Essex. This was obviously a huge milestone for John and everyone around him, but with this also came an end to the majority of his paid-for therapy sessions that were so important to John.
These therapy sessions have covered everything from speech and language therapy, physio, gym, occupational therapy and more.
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What's needed
Whilst John has made huge strides in his recovery, he still needs lots of support:
John is currently unable to work, or live independently
Aphasia means John has trouble understanding, speaking, reading and writing
Nerve damage to his right side has significantly reduced mobility in John's right hand, arm and leg
For 2025, we're asking for donations to help support John's continued recovery. This includes keeping as many of those therapy sessions going as possible, and making sure John has everything he might need to help him achieve his long term goal to live independently again.
Some examples of what your donation will go towards:
£160 covers the cost for two private speech and language therapy sessions for John, to help with his Aphasia
£90 covers the cost for an all day session at Headway (the brain injury association) in Cambridge, which John visits weekly
£35 covers the cost of a 1-hour personal trainer session, focusing on improving mobility in John's right arm and leg
John has done amazing over the past year, with huge progress made. But there's still a long way to go in his recovery journey.
A huge thank you for your support from Asa, Chris & family xxxx
