Friday 11th May 2018

In May 2018 George suffered a spontaneous massive brain hemorrhage whilst waiting for a friend to go away for a mountain biking weekend in Wales. The hemorrhage was so severe that George was taken from Musgrove hospital to Southmead where he underwent brain surgery. George was in ITU and HD at Southmead for 3 weeks where his family and I were by his side every day, thinking of all the happy times we had shared together. When George was in his induced coma in ICU, Georgia and Rosie designed and made a memory board about their Dad, the idea was that everyone had an understanding about George and his likes and dislikes - the medical staff would speak to George about the memories and photos to try and get a response from him. At one point we had to ask them to stop playing Heart radio as we knew George would only ever listen to BBC6Music!

We were told by the medical team that George had suffered massive trauma to the left frontal lobe in his brain, resulting is long term brain damage in that frontal lobe (It just no longer works). This part of the brain is responsible for the movement of the right side of your body and the expression of speech (along with other things - understanding numbers, emotions..........). We were having to prepare ourselves for not knowing George as we always had, it was heartbreaking. All the things we knew he always loved seemed to be getting further and further away in the distance - biking, snowboarding, music, socialising, BBQs.... the list was endless.

Mugrove

After three weeks in Southmead hospital, George was transferred to Musgrove where he was becoming more aware and we were starting to see what we were dealing with. It was like a rollercoaster; up and downs, smiles and tears. At this point George had no movement in his right side and couldn't speak. Everything the doctors at Southmead said could happen, was happening. It was heartbreaking, we were all trying to be positive, but realistically we were all broken, not knowing what would happen next and how we would get out of this nightmare.

Whilst in Musgrove a speech therapist (the lovely Emma) saw promise in George and put in for an urgent referral for George to get a bed at Dene Barton Neurological Rehabilitation Hospital - there are only 10 beds in the hospital. On Tuesday 19th June George got the call, a bed was available at Dene Barton!

Dene Barton Rehabilitation Hospital

I drove as quick as I could to get to Dene Barton to meet George there in the ambulance, I knew he would be confused and scared - he was. We walked into Dene Barton and it was like a big weight had been lifted off my shoulders. The staff were so warming and lovely and George was surrounded by 9 other people with similar medical concerns. I was offered support straight away which will stay in my heart forever.

When George got to Dene Barton he still couldn't move his right side or speak. It was becoming more apparent that we still had 'my George', but at this point he was locked in a body that he couldn't express himself in. The physio therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, doctors, nurses and hydro therapists worked George to the bone over the next 4 months, George was having to reconfigure the right side of his brain to do the work of the left. George's personality was coming out more and more. He was making improvements every day, they were slow, but slow and steady does win the race! George's right leg movement was getting stronger and more controlled and his speech was becoming more coherent.

Dene Barton saved George. The staff and facilities gave him the opportunity to aim for his full potential, something that 4 months ago I never thought was possible. George was discharged from Dene Barton Hospital on Friday 26th October. It was an incredibly emotional day for us all, I felt like Dene Barton was my security blanket and I was now scared for the next chapter...... how will George be at home?

George went into Dene Barton with full right sided hemiparesis affecting both his arm and leg and severe asphasia (inability to speak). He left being able to use his right leg for short physical activities and with moderate asphasia - this would never had happened without the marvels at Dene Barton and the determination and passion for life from George!

Home life

George has continued to go from strength to strength since leaving Dene Barton. He continues to have regular physio, speech and occupational therapy here at home and is still continuing to show improvement - he is just amazing!

The goal now is for George to ride a bike again. For those of you that know George will know that his second love (after his family) are bikes...... anything bike! George has been given the opportunity from a man that can.... Tom Pales from Freetrike Rehabilitation Cycling gave George the chance ride a customised (left handed controlled) recumbent trike (see main photo), this was amazing. If you had asked me 6 months ago where we would be now, it would have been quite bleak and definitely would not have involved a bike of any type.

George has ridden bikes all of his life..... with his family, friends and me (in fact my first mountain bike introduction was in 2004 at Cwmcarn - for those of you who are mountain bikers you will realise how funny that is - I didn't even know how to change gear, but since then George has taught me everything I know). George has ridden XC and downhill on the Mendips and Quantocks (home turf), taken part in downhill races at Combe Sydnham, 24 hour races for CLIC and Bontrager, road cycled John O'Groats to Lands End in 9 days, cycled in the Alpes, Pyrenees, South Africa and much more...... the list is endless and this is is where his passion is. We have got an exercise bike here at home to help with the physio and to get George bike fit again.

We have had a quote (£4500) from Freetrike for a customised ICE Adventure HD trike that will mean George can be independent; cycle from and away from home, giving him the physical, mental and social benefits that come with it.

We are definitely not people that expect hand outs and I have had to put my pride to one side in writing this as any donations that could go towards getting my George back out on the road again will be eternally gratefully received.

George is an inspiration to all and throughout all of this he has remained positive about everything. His determination to succeed and improve is immense, this has come from himself and the fantastic support from family and friends throughout this

truly difficult time. It has been completely overwhelming and there are no words to explain how grateful we are xx

In true George speak......