Patient stories

  • From slow stream rehabilitation to greater independence: Nathan’s progression with National Care Group

    The slow-stream rehabilitation Nathan received at National Care Group’s Ashbrook Neuro Rehabilitation in Rochdale after a motorcycle accident empowered his determination to achieve greater independence, rebuild lost skills, and get back to doing the things he loves. The person-centred progression model of support that Nathan received enabled him to achieve positive recovery outcomes, leading to [...]

  • Brain injury survivor and NR Times award-winner receives British Empire Medal

    A brain injury survivor and NR Times award-winner who has raised more than £100,000 for charity has received a British Empire Medal. Dominic Hurley, 52, was told he may never walk or talk again after falling off a moped in Cyprus in 1994, but went on to defy doctors' expectations. Since then, he has raised [...]

  • Woman with MS to swim 24 miles for therapy centre

    A woman with multiple sclerosis (MS) is swimming 24 miles to raise money for the therapy centre that has supported her for the last 15 years. Jayne Charles from Bilston will be taking on the challenge over 40 swims to fundraise for the Wolverhampton MS Therapy Centre, which marks its 40th anniversary this year. The [...]

  • British baby becomes first global recruit to newborn brain injury study

    A British baby has become the first to be recruited to a global study of brain injury in newborns. The research at Tunbridge Wells Hospital in Kent aims to improve outcomes for infants with brain injuries at birth, says Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW). The study, COMET (Cooling in Mild Encephalopathy Trial), examines [...]

  • ‘Heroic’ nine-year-old brain injury survivor wins courage award

    A nine-year-old brain injury survivor has won a courage award after emergency surgery and five months in hospital following a catastrophic brain injury. Mathilda Wells received the honour at the Warrington Guardian Inspiration Awards 2026, held at The Village Hotel on April 23. Her family's lives changed in October 2024 when a ruptured AVM caused [...]

  • Ranaich House praised for ‘Excellent’ outcomes in Care Inspectorate Scotland report

    Cygnet's Ranaich House has been praised for delivering “excellent” outcomes and creating an “uplifting and positive” atmosphere following an inspection from Care Inspectorate Scotland. The specialist social care service achieved top marks of ‘6 – Excellent’ for how well people’s wellbeing is supported and how care is planned, together with ‘5 – Very Good’ for [...]

  • Runner with MS breaks half marathon record

    A runner with multiple sclerosis has broken the half marathon record for a person with the condition after finishing in 1:30:46. Chris White, 42, from Luton in Bedfordshire, beat the previous Guinness World Record of 1:33:08 at the Brighton Half Marathon on 1 March, despite being told to avoid intense exercise after his diagnosis. White [...]

  • Student graduates with PhD after brain injury setback

    A PhD student has graduated from the University of Bristol after a traumatic brain injury forced her to pause her studies and rebuild her academic career. EmmaLucy Cole, from Taunton, was in the second year of a PhD in English Literature when she sustained a brain injury during a motorbike accident on an organised tour [...]

  • Brain injury survivor to deliver public poetry reading

    A brain injury survivor will give his first public poetry reading later this month at a Words on Wednesday event at Verey Books in Pooley Bridge. Charles Lowther, a Cumbrian native and owner of Askham Hall and CIEL Hotels, will take the stage on Wednesday, 25 February, to share poems from his debut collection, Connected [...]

  • Woman rewrites her story six years after spinal stroke

    When Abbie Webb (32) from Gloucester sustained a spinal cord injury after what doctors believe to have been a spinal stroke, she struggled to return to her previous life. Now, six years later, she has gained a new resilience and is more active and adventurous than ever. In January 2019, Abbie had just moved into [...]