The swim is to raise money for Campion Ward where Steve, now 29 was a patient and still attends every week for therapies.

He suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury in May 2010 following a Motorbike accident. He was knocked off his bike. Steve's injuries were so traumatic that we were told he would not survive the trauma to his brain, he had multiple fractures to his skull and cheek bones and fractured upper and lower jaw and  multiple bruises to his brain a blood clot on his brain which resulted in loss of use to his right side. He was in ITU at Good Hope hospital in a coma for 7 weeks and we were told Steve would remain in a vegetative state even if he did survive. 

Well by some miracle that has baffled all involved Steve started to show signs of recovery and in his 8th week at Good Hope he was seen and assessed for Neuro Rehabilitation by Dr Badwan. Dr Badwan told us that he would accept Steve for neuro rehab at Leamington Rehabilitation Hospital and with their intense rehabilitation programme he would get Steve walking and communicating in some way. This was just amazing news for us as a family. Steve stayed at Good Hope until August when a bed was available for him on Campion Ward. 

Campion Ward is where his rehabilitation began.

When Steve got to Leamington he had already began to start talking but needed extensive speech therapy. He was bed bound and had intense physiotherapy to learn to walk again and eventually strength began to return in his right side. Steve is Right handed and due to some nerve damage in his Right arm this compounded the problems to that side of his body.

Well, we are nearly 2 years on now and Steve's speech is 90% back to normal. He can walk short distances unaided but still has trouble with his balance. He continues to attend Leamington every week to continue with Physio, OT and Psychology and it is hoped that with some expert training he will be able to drive again later this year.

Steve's recovery is truly miraculous, and there is no doubt that the expertise and skills of ITU saved his life, but without a doubt Campion Ward and the Leamington  team gave the Steve we all know and love back to us, and for that we will be eternally grateful. Their skills and patience in caring for Steve were outstanding, from health care support workers right up to Consultants.

Steve and we as a family want to now give something back to Campion Ward. So, we have decided to do a sponsored swim. Steve's brother Joe will swim 3 miles, I will swim 1 mile and Steve will swim the final length.

The swim will take place on Sunday May 27th at The Pingles Leisure Center in Nuneaton. Steve also intends do do some work as a volunteer at Leamington eventually, to help and encourage and support other patients recovering from Brain Injury.