Moving story of Wisbech man shared to mark Brain Injury Awareness month

A former Wisbech carpenter who suffered a traumatic head injury in a car crash four years ago has shared his inspirational story of recovery to mark Brain Injury Awareness month.

David Scrimshaw, who is in his early 30s, was involved in a crash with a lorry in 2017 which left him with a diffuse axonal brain injury - one of the most dangerous types of head injury.

In addition he had to have his right arm amputated from the elbow down at the scene of the accident.

With March being Brain Injury Awareness Month, Askham Rehab, a specialist neuro rehab community, in Doddington, has shared David's journey of recovery so far.

Admitted to Askham from a Level 1 rehabilitation unit in 2018, David arrived in a prolonged disorder of consciousness, where he was unable to engage in therapy sessions or make eye contact with others.

Explaining the start of David’s journey, Sara Neaves, clinical lead and outpatients service manager at Askham Rehab, said: “David arrived at Askham with a very significant brain injury. Diffuse axonal injuries cause a lot of damage to brain cells and, being so life-threatening, can take an extensive period of time to recover from.

“Due to the nature of the injury, David’s rehabilitation required treatment from all four of our Askham Rehab disciplines; clinical psychology, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy.”

David was able to make use of Askham Rehab’s new robotics and sensor assisted technology, thanks to it being one of a very small number of providers in the UK to offer a specialist robotic-led rehabilitation service. Empowered with the state-of-the-art Tyromotion equipment, therapists were able to provide goal-driven therapy to help David push himself to achieve more in a shorter time frame.

The MYRO table, a sensor-based surface with interactive applications, provided cognitive stimulation through patterning and sequencing, helping David to reach and rotate with his left upper limb. While the OMEGO Plus, a multifunctional chair enabling specific training of functional therapy goals, and a favourite of David’s, helped him use his lower limbs, focussing on building range of movement and strength.

David also took part in sessions in Askham Rehab’s hydrotherapy pool, where an aqua therapist helped him stretch out his muscles and improve the range of movement at his joints. The community’s sensory rooms and gardens also helped to stimulate David’s senses and played a crucial part in the development of regaining certain cognitive skills.

Highlighting the progression David has made, Sara said: “David’s been with us for almost three years now. He couldn’t speak a word on arrival and can now hold conversations. He’s even getting his cheeky personality coming back through. He’s hit many milestones since his journey began. The one that sticks out for me is when he gave us his first smile during a physiotherapy session, after splashing us in the hydrotherapy pool.

“It’s been extremely rewarding to see how far he’s progressed. He’s now making eye contact, initiating conversations, participating with the activities team, and engaging in the physiotherapy sessions. He’s also close to his extremely supportive family – who have been grateful for everything we’ve provided him with at Askham – so they can visit him on a daily basis.”

She continued: “Ultimately, being at Askham has been a really positive move for David. Askham’s ethos is all about patience, kindness, and nurturing for people like David. Due to his injury, the road to recovery has been a long one, but we’re hopeful that one day David will return home to his parents.”

Summing up his journey so far at Askham, David said: “It’s nice here at Askham, I like everyone. There are good people looking after me.”

Aliyyah-Begum Nasser, director at Askham, said: “We’re able to offer a quantitative and targeted approach to treatment, as well as greater discretion when targetting key areas following neurological events.

“David’s journey encompasses what Brain Injury Awareness Month is all about; highlighting the strategies to improve the quality of life for persons living with brain injuries and their families.”

To watch a video of David’s journey at Askham Rehab, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8C7CH2Y5Dm8&feature=youtu.be.