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Mark's head injury battle an inspiration
BRAVE Mark Downs who suffered horrific head injury at work has inspired his family with his determination to recover from his terrible injuries.
The 38-year-old, from Castlehill, Eckington, needed 16 hours of brain surgery after being hit on the head by a metal sheet and knocked against a steel skip.
He suffered bleeding in his brain, multiple fractures to both eye sockets and was left blind in his right eye with only partial vision in the left.
Mark also has problems with his balance, is paralysed down his left side and has lost his sense of smell and taste.
But thanks to ongoing physiotherapy and speech therapy, the support of his family and friends, Mark has overcome many hurdles since the accident in October 2007.
He had learned to speak and is getting out and meeting people - but still faces many challenges.
Mark's family have decided to speak out about his case to support Action for Brain Injury Week, which finishes tomorrow. The publicity week has been organised by Headway - the brain injury association, of which Mark is a member.
His mother Sandra, 61, said: "Mark suffered a serious head injury and without the help of paramedics things could have turned out much worse. Action for Brain Injury Week is very important to us.
"Without support from the medical specialists that treated Mark and the head injury experts at Irwin Mitchell we would never have been able to get to the stage of Mark's rehabilitation that we are at now.
"The hard work will continue and the path to Mark leading a full and independent life is just beginning."
Mark is on the waiting list for a guide dog.
Rachael Aram, an associate solicitor specialising in dealing with head-injured clients at Irwin Mitchell law firm, has supported the Downs family.
She said: "Head injuries can lead to serious problems with some people left suffering from multiple cognitive problems and, in severe cases, long-term disabilities.
"We have been able to help him access ongoing rehabilitation services and point the family in the right direction to receive further support from charities such as Headway.
"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 them to pursue an active lifestyle."
She added: "Mark's rehabilitation is ongoing and he is receiving considerable support from his family. He relies heavily on his siblings and parents who take him out in the community and encourage Mark to progress with his therapy in order to gain further independence."
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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