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Damian’s story

A story of determination

A person we support is building lego blocks

Damian suffered a stroke at just forty one, which left him with significant communication difficulties. Through his determination and the support of Brainkind and his friends and family, he has returned to work.

Damian experienced a stroke and had to be admitted to hospital. Once he was well enough, he went on to a rehabilitation ward, but as a young man with the potential to return to independent living and work, he felt he would benefit from a period of specialist rehabilitation at Kerwin Court.

When he arrived at Kerwin Court, Damian had difficulty understanding verbal and written information and speaking. He often knew what he wanted to say, but the words would not come out. He also experienced changes in the sensation in his right hand and had to use his vision to help him with more fiddly tasks.

Damian worked with the speech and language therapist, occupational therapist, and physiotherapist. He found ways to use his communication skills more effectively, including writing things down and using gestures. He exposed his right hand to repetitive sensory stimulation and used a computer game to work on his speed and fine movements.

Damian moved into one of the unit bungalows and could cook for himself. He started going out shopping and used public transport to go home for the weekend to spend time with his friends and partner.

Damian’s biggest goal was to return to work.

He was a highly skilled gearbox engineer building specialist gearboxes for rally cars. The occupational therapist set up meetings with his employer to explore the options, and a visit to the workshop was arranged so Damian could test his skills. He was given a gearbox component to build and coached by his manager. Damian seemed to have many retained skills but was a bit “rusty” and struggled with some finer hand movements required for such an intricate task.

Damian’s ability to communicate and the safety issues associated with the workshop environment when he had limited sensation in his hand also needed to be considered.

Damian’s occupational therapist put together a return-to-work plan, and when he was discharged home to independent living, he was referred to the community rehabilitation team to continue working towards this goal.

After four months and the support of his girlfriend, cousin, friends, and the community rehabilitation staff, Damian was back at work.

As Damian looks back at his time with Kerwin Court, he recalls his experiences positively.

What I liked about Kerwin Court is that the people were nice. I talked more, which was helpful. I liked being able to go home; the first time coming back after six months felt good. At first, I was in a room, but after two weeks, Brainkind asked if I wanted a flat or a bungalow, as I liked the privacy and practising things I’d do at home, like cooking.

Now back at work, Damian is determined to do more.

The Brainkind time told me to start step by step for three days, doing three hours. But I wanted to work more and didn’t want to stop. I didn’t plan a lot, which sometimes isn’t good, but I didn’t want to think too much, I just wanted to do the job. At first, I was a bit rusty. Sara Goldstone (Senior Specialist Occupational Therapist) guided me. Now I work eight hours a day, three days a week. Soon I will have a meeting where we will talk about me working four days but I want to work five days a week.

 

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