| Mark's story
Mark Jackson is now 30 and had his accident when he was
just 10 years old. The accident happened whilst in Devon, cycling through
the countryside with his friend; without a bicycle helmet.
Mark had taken his cycling test the week before and failed
his test, but decided to ride his bike anyway. A car hit him whilst turning
the corner, leaving Mark in a coma for six months and the worst was feared.
Mark sustained multiple injuries but remarkably he pulled
through. However his life was turned upside down as he had sustained a
serious brain injury. He was initially unable to walk or feed himself.
The accident severely affected his family and put immense
strain on his mother. Mark didn’t say a word for almost two and a half
years but slowly he made progress, whilst living at home.
His Mother realised that Mark would need more help and he
later visited several hospices, although they never felt like home. His
mother understood that he needed rehabilitation to gain his full potential.
Eventually Mark found what he needed at The
Woodmill, the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust's service at Cullompton,
near Exeter. Thanks to the Trust's ground breaking rehabilitation services,
Mark is now able to walk using a frame and loves working at a local garden
centre on work placement. He swims regularly and is studying Humanities
at college.
Mark’s mother Julia says: "Mark's accident turned our lives
upside down but thanks to his determination and the wonderful staff at
The Woodmill, Mark is settled and very happy. He has regained many life
skills and is now keen to take on new challenges."
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