‘It’s like one long nightmare
Family’s heartache as 25-year-old is left wit brain damage after suffering string of seiz
The family of a Sunderland carer who suffered nine seizures in a matter of hours fear he will never be the same again.
Ryan Hindmarsh has been left with brain damage after suffering the string of seizures, which began at his Thorney Close home on January 11.
The 25-year-old, who is a carer for his mum Debbie Hindmarsh, was rushed to hospital and his family received the devastating phone call that he had stopped breathing and was in a coma in the intensive care unit of Sunderland Royal Hospital.
Unable to be by his side due to covid restrictions, his loved ones were left desperately waiting by the phone for updates on his condition.
Three days later they received the terrible news that his kidneys had failed and his organs were shutting down.
Ryan was placed on a life-support machine and doctors told the devastated family they feared he wouldn’t survive.
But the former Washington Academy student’s condition began to improve slightly, and he was transferred to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle on January 24.
Sister Shantelle Hindmarsh, 24, told how the family’s lives had been turned upside down.
“After 19 days, he was brought out of the coma and
we were able to see him on video calls,” she said.
"He wasn’t talking on the phone calls and we were told he had multiple bleeds on his brain.
"But they didn’t know the extent.
"He went up for an MRI scan on Saturday night and we’re hoping to get the result later, so we know the extent of his brain damage.
"It’s so hard not being able to be by his side.
"He just hasn’t responded to anyone - it’s as if he’s
looking right through us.
"You can tell he’s not the same bubbly lad, that’s what breaks my heart.
" He’s my big brother and I’ve always looked up to him.”
Ryan, who used to play for Ashbrooke and Gateshead rugby clubs, first had a seizure two years ago and, although he didn’t suffer from them often, he was on medication.
Since coming out of his coma on Monday, February 1, Ryan hasn’t spoken to anyone
and medics are waiting for the results of MRI scans which should show the extent of the damage to his brain.
"He would do anything for anyone,” added Shantelle, who is mum-of-two.
"He’s an amazing uncle to my two daughters, they absolutely idolise him.
“He’s my mam’s carer so we are going to have to get a carer for my mam as well as for Ryan.
"He’s not going to be the same.
"It’s going to be one or two years for him to fully recover if he does.
"It’s been so hard, it feels like every day has rolled into one - like one long nightmare.”
A Go Fund Me page set up to support Ryan has raised more than £600.
It will go towards a new bed and any adaptations to his home that need to be made.
To donate visit www.gofundme.com/f/helping-ryan-hindmarsh-family