Thanks
Posted by: hungryhalibut on 17 December 2016
I'd very much like to thank all those Forum members who have sent me messages or wished me well following my accident at the end of August. It's been a challenging few months and the fact that people have spared the time to write to me, or post on the Forum has cheered me up no end. From a position where I was in a coma on life support and not expected to make it, I can now do most things again. I still find riding the bike a bit scary but I'm doing it, and I can walk continuously for about two hours. And just this week I've managed to run for a couple of miles. Walking has been my greatest enjoyment and I'm so lucky to live somewhere with a beautiful coastline and countryside. Because I had seizures I had to surrender my driving licence, and if I have no more I should get my licence back in the spring. Thanks to a suggestion on here I've managed to get a disabled person's bus pass, which is fantastic. I've discovered that the 700 from Emsworth stops virtually outside the Audio T in Portsmouth.
As a result of the fractured skull I have an acquired brain injury. I'm getting wonderful support from my occupational therapist, who takes delight in giving me challenging exercises to do, and in the new year I'm starting neuropsychology with a clinical psychologist. I've discovered a lot about the workings of the brain and have learned that you never really recover from an ABI, rather you find ways to cope with it as your brain finds new pathways. The challenge for me is how to process information and I find that unexpected or very complex things are very challenging and my brain literally shuts down and I can't handle them. After an hour or so the information has somehow processed and I can then have a conversation about it.
This means of course that I am still off work and it is unclear whether I'll ever be able to return. At the same time there is the legal claim against the driver to pursue which has been rather challenging as the driver's insurance company is doing everything they can to avoid admitting liability. The police have been fantastic and have visited me at home and called a few times to see how I'm getting on. Their accident report is now written and is clear that the driver was at fault, so once my solicitor has that, things should start to move forwards. It's incredible how long everything takes, and we are so lucky that we have savings and that Hilary works. Goodness knows how people without savings or a working partner cope with the loss of earnings following an accident, as it can take up to three years to settle.
So that's where we are. As my doctor friend said recently when I was moaning that I can't paint the ceiling (if I look up I get dizzy) - 'stop thinking about what you can't do and focus on what you can do, I'm surprised you are still alive and can still walk'.
Lying on the ground thinking you are going to die and then waking up and realising that you haven't is not an experience I'd recommend, but it certainly puts things in perspective. I've got so much to be thankful for; a wonderful family, great friends, a nice house and of course my stereo and nearly 3,000 albums to play. And tomorrow we are off to Vienna for a few days, which we've been really looking forward to.
Thank you very much, you've been great.
Posted on: 17 December 2016 by Adam Zielinski
Nigel - a pleasure reading your post. Enjoy your trip to Vienna.
Adam
Posted on: 17 December 2016 by tonym
Great to learn you're well on the mend and getting your life back Nigel. In the circumstances it's sometimes difficult to focus on the positive but I'm sure writing your experiences down is a great help in itself. Be well my friend and enjoy your break in Vienna. They do nice cakes apparently.
Posted on: 17 December 2016 by Mike-B
Yes indeed, good to know you are on the mend, here's hoping it continues & to a full & complete recovery. Sorry you did not make it to Salisbury, I was looking forward to meeting you, hopefully we might get another opportunity. Have a great time in Vienna.
Posted on: 17 December 2016 by BigH47
All the very best HH, I hope you continue to improve and get back to full action mode.
Enjoy Vienna, my sister had a short break there recently and said it was wonderful, plenty of beautiful buildings and parks to see.
Posted on: 17 December 2016 by Simon-in-Suffolk
Nigel, what an encouraging blog... great that things are working out for you bit by bit ... and I hope you will be able to return to work at some point and in some capacity. Vienna is a beautiful city, one of my favourite Viennese areas is Grinzing. You can take a tram there (I believe route 38) its at the edge of Vienna in the foot hills, with narrow cobbled streets, festive bars, restaurants ... a lovely middle Europe Christmas atmosphere especially in the evening ... if you have time look it out.
Simon
Posted on: 17 December 2016 by count.d
I didn't know you'd had an accident Nigel. Great to read you're coping and on the mend. I wish you all the best.
Posted on: 17 December 2016 by Massimo Bertola
Hi Nigel,
this sentence of yours could be from Wilde or Woody Allen, and proves how much of you we still have. I'll treasure it, as I believe each if us reading should do. I'm happy that you're getting better, and I wish you a great time in Wien. Avoid climbing the stairs to the top of St. Stephen's dome, and enjoy all the rest.
Best
Massimo
Posted on: 17 December 2016 by ChrisH
I don't often look in Padded Cell but glad I did today. Keep on with your recovery Nigel, continue to focus on the positives and have a great few days away.
Posted on: 17 December 2016 by Harry
Have a good trip. Best wishes.
Posted on: 17 December 2016 by Derek Wright
Have a good trip to Vienna, a great place, could be a bit chilly in December though. If you can to a few concerts and operas it could be good. Standing at the back of the stalls in the Staatsoper is a unique and knee crippling experience.
Posted on: 17 December 2016 by Paper Plane
I didn't know you'd had an accident Nigel. Great to read you're coping and on the mend. I wish you all the best.
+ 1
steve
Posted on: 17 December 2016 by Clive B
I'm pleased to read that things are coming back together for you, Nigel. How is your hearing now? Has that recovered fully?
Enjoy Christmas in Vienna; it's somewhere I'd love to go.
ATB, Clive
Posted on: 17 December 2016 by Don Atkinson
This is good news indeed Nigel. Have a good time in Vienna and enjoy Xmas and New Year celebrations.
Above all I wish you a sound recovery, hopefully not too long in the making. Take it steady with determination.
Cheers, Don
Posted on: 17 December 2016 by dave marshall
Just to add my best wishes for your continuing recovery ........... have a relaxing time in Vienna.
Posted on: 17 December 2016 by Nich
Wow, that's some post! I had no idea how much you've been going through lately, and would just like to add my good wishes to all the others here! We never know what's around life's corners!!
Posted on: 17 December 2016 by Solid Air
As you say, we should all be thankful for what we have the really counts: family, friends and laughter. I'm glad you're feeling well enough to travel. Vienna is so lovely, so have a wonderful time!
Posted on: 17 December 2016 by MDS
Fate can sometimes throw at us some horrific challenges, and cruelly these can arrive just at time when life otherwise seems to becoming more comfortable. Those challenges can feel all the more acute when you have nothing to deserve it and it is easy to wilt under the weight and unfairness of it all. So 'well done', Nigel, for your strength of character and sense of perspective. Some aspects of life that may previously have been taken for granted might now be appreciated all the more. So here's looking forward to an uplifting 2017!
Posted on: 17 December 2016 by JamieWednesday
All the best for a continuing recovery chap, a heartening post to read today.
Posted on: 17 December 2016 by james n
I hadn't realised you'd had such a bad accident Nigel until i read the post at the top of this thread.
I hope your recovery continues to go well and 2017 is a better year. Enjoy your break in Vienna too.
James
Posted on: 17 December 2016 by winkyincanada
All the best with your recovery. Here's to a great 2017.
Posted on: 17 December 2016 by GraemeH
Good wishes for a continued climb back to full health Nigel.
G
Posted on: 17 December 2016 by Erich
Good to know you are better. My best wishes for your total recovery. Enjoy your trip.
Best regards.
Erich
Posted on: 17 December 2016 by Slim68
Glad to hear how far you have come in your recovery. Have a great trip to Vienna.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
All the best,
Simon.
Posted on: 17 December 2016 by Gianluigi Mazzorana
'stop thinking about what you can't do and focus on what you can do,
Yes!
Keep on going HH!
Posted on: 17 December 2016 by Mr Fjeld
Good to know you're recovering from such a horrible accident. Enjoy your trip to Vienna and take lots of photos for us all to enjoy in the "Nice Photos" thread!
