Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
FACING CLIMB OF HIS LIFE AFTER FALL CAUSED LOCKED-IN SYNDROME
Family of dad who can only communicate by blinking tell of hopes for full recovery
progress, so far.” For now, Dave is living in Sheffield at a specialist neuro-rehab facility called STEPS.
The former pupil of Ballyclare High School is free of the ventilator and although cannot stand unaided or walk, he remains strong and can move with support.
And although his facial paralysis and locked jaw remain a frustration for now, he can turn his head and even raise his hand in greeting and is able to communicate in full sentences using an electronic Eyegaze device.
Almost a year on from the devastating accident, Hannah and Dave have now made the difficult decision that she will return to Scotland with their sons.
With his sights on the future, Dave will remain at the specialist rehab unit and strive towards recovery with a plan to tick off one goal at a time – walking, eating a Sunday dinner and baking Hannah a birthday cake.
A Gofundme page entitled Inspired-by-dave has been set up to help the family as they move through the crisis. And Dave has written a message to everyone who supports him. He said: “To say our world has been turned on its head would be a mild understatement.
“Whilst I’ve not lost any cognitive function, my motor control was reduced to blinking.
“I’m not going to dwell on the negatives, hardly the thing for the start of a new year, but while Hannah is keeping the show on the road in the most humbling way imaginable, my role has been reduced to fighting for every bit of motor function I can get back.
“It is a huge mountain to climb and I am still at the bottom but climbing mountains is what I do and with the progress so far I am at least over the bergschrund [mountain crevasse].
“I also know I have benefited from a huge amount of support from the start from friends near and far.
“I am truly grateful, and my state of mind is better for it.
“I have ‘typed’ this using a simple but slow eye tracking system.
“I can’t promise to produce much text – some of you will say that is a good thing – but I will try and let you know how I am getting on.”
For more information and to contact Dave, visit www.gofundme. com/inspired-by-dave.