Show goes on for singer after brain operation
WHEN talented singer Rob Thomas was growing up, he had dreams of starring in a musical at London’s West End.
But that all came to a dramatic halt at the age of 18 when he had to undergo a major brain operation that could have claimed his life.
Miraculously, the 31-year-old made a full recovery and is now entertaining dozens of very lucky care home residents instead.
“Basically, my brain was too big for my head and it was killing off brain cells and causing major problems to my spinal column,” he said.
“But it was only found by chance.
“I was getting really bad problems with my back and when the consultants carried out an MRI scan they found it.
“I was only 18 at the time and my parents didn’t really tell me much about it, but now if it hadn’t been sorted it would have killed me.”
Bridgend resident Rob was taken to Morriston Hospital in Swansea where he underwent an eight-and-a-half hour operation to take an inch off his vertebrae and get rid of any “dead” brain cells.
“They said it was one of the worst cases they’d seen,” said Rob, who trained for a career in musical theatre at Bridgend College.
“It was a long old haul but I came out the other side.
“I made a good recovery but performing professionally would have been impossible.”
Huge Les Miserables fan Rob still has a huge passion for musical theatre and goes out of his way to bring happiness to elderly residents of Picton Court, at Nottage, Porthcawl.
His work as the activities organiser at the home, which provides residential, nursing and dementia care, is to brighten the lives of the 76 residents aged 60 to 103 by arranging activities and entertainment.
It means his tenor voice is still very much in demand.
“I absolutely love the job,” added Rob, who occasionally performs locally and has recently joined Porthcawl Male Voice Choir.
“My role is to make people happy, to show them that this is just a new chapter in their lives and to give a bit back to them.
“The best part is seeing the smiles on the residents’ faces when they’ve enjoyed something I do – that means the world to me.
“Care homes sometimes get a bad press and you don’t hear about the wonderful things they are achieving. What attracted me to this job was to be able to make a difference.”
The young man is now in line for a major care award for the way he entertains the residents with his singing.
He has been shortlisted as a finalist at the annual Wales Care Awards organised by Care Forum Wales.
It will take place at City Hall, Cardiff, on Friday, October 21.