Chesterfield family supports Action for Brain Injury Week

12/05/2009

The mother of a man from Eckington in Derbyshire who was left almost blinded after a serious head injury at work is supporting Action for Brain Injury Week 2009.

Mark Downs, from Castlehill in Eckington is currently going through an intensive rehabilitation programme after suffering a severe brain injury while at work in October 2007.

Sandra Downs, Mark’s Mother, said: "Mark suffered a serious head injury and without the help of paramedics things could have turned out much worse. Raising awareness about the effects of brain injury is very important to us. Without support from the medical specialists that treated Mark we would never have been able to get to the stage of Mark's rehabilitation that we are at now. 

Mark shown shortly after hospital admission.

Mark has made enormous progress despite the difficulties which he still faces.

"The hard work will continue and the road to Mark leading a full and independent life is just beginning."

Specialist medical care

Mark sustained a severe brain injury after being hit by a metal sheet being carried in a tandem lift and was knocked against a steel metal skip.

Paramedics arrived at the scene and initially treated Mr Downs, he was then admitted to the Neurosurgical Unit at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield as an emergency case.

Scans revealed a deep skull fracture, brain contusions and right sided haemorrhage which required surgery for 16 hours. He remained at the Royal Hallamshire for three months following the accident when he was transferred to the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield for neuro-rehabilitation.

Titanium plates were surgically inserted in order to protect his brain as a result of the extensive damage to his skull. Mark also had multiple fractures to both eye sockets which were crushed and have left him blind in his right eye with only partial vision in the left. He also has problems with his balance and has a left sided hemiplegia. He has lost his sense of smell and taste.

Mark has since been discharged and is back home with his family despite his horrific injuries.

Ongoing rehabilitation

Mark is pursing a claim for compensation against his employers as a result of what has happened to him. His Solicitor, Rachael Aram from law firm Irwin Mitchell commented:

"Head injuries can lead to serious problems with some people left suffering from multiple cognitive problems, and in severe cases, long-term disabilities.

"Supporting our clients with their ongoing recovery needs such as therapy, suitable housing, transport, aids and equipment, and care support can really help improve their quality of life and allow people to pursue an active lifestyle in the community."

Mark's rehabilitation is ongoing and he is receiving considerable support from his family. He relies heavily on his family who take him out in the community and encourage Mark to progress with his therapy in order to gain further independence. 

He is undertaking further speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy in the community and has received assistance from the Royal Society for the Blind. He’s also currently on the waiting list for a guide dog to assist his independence in the community.

Mark and his family got in touch with their local Headway branch, Headway North Derbyshire, where they now attend regularly to get involved in Headway’s activities and social gatherings. More details of Headway's campaign can be found at http://www.headway.org.uk/ under "Action for Brain Injury Week 2009".

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