Published: April 2023 Date of brain injury: October 2022 (aged 15 years old)
We first heard about the accident when the police came to our door and told us that we had to go to the hospital. It’s every parent's worst nightmare and was a very scary time.
In the hospital
After the accident, Keira was in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for two and a half weeks. It was a tough time - she couldn’t speak or move her left side at all. She eventually went from the ICU to step-down services and then to the general ward where she received physiotherapy, which helped. The physiotherapists worked hard with her to exercise and stretch, and I continued to do the exercises three times a day if they weren’t able to.
I had to re-teach her how to do things, and found that she picked it up quicker if I showed her how to do it and then she copied (brushing her hair, talking, smiling, raising an eyebrow).
Feeding was also difficult. We had to start slowly with yogurt on her lips for a few weeks, then we tried the food on the tip of the spoon, and gradually increased her intake over time.
Arriving for specialised rehabilitation
The Children’s Trust has such a good reputation, so when it came to the time for her to arrive we were all really excited and just couldn’t wait to get there! Keira said: “it is one step closer to home”.
The difference in her behaviour and mood was almost instant. You could see that she really wanted to push herself and set her own goals. When she could see her progress, the results were incredible.
Personalised therapy sessions
Keira has really enjoyed all the therapies offered to her at The Children’s Trust. They have all been run so that she has control and had a say in her own sessions. All of them were justified with her injuries and everything has helped.
Keira received physiotherapy sessions using soft play equipment. She could stand up but would struggle on all fours, so she had to learn to regain her balance. By her third session, she was able to stand, crawl, go up the steps, and down the slide - she really pushed herself. Eventually, she built up her left arm and knee muscles enough and you could see her left side strengthen, she was improving from being very weak to now walking easily with minimal issues. There is still some spasticity in the leg, but she’s come a long way and she now even enjoys a bit of light jogging.
She also particularly enjoyed the music therapy. There was a lot of multi-tasking involved with the brain-to-hand-to-strum motion. It was difficult at first, but she was able to strengthen it over time and she can do it now thanks to the music therapy. Recently, Keira even managed to play a tune from her school concert last year.
Our time at The Children’s Trust
Keira’s favourite memories of her time at The Children's Trust are her first few steps, aqua therapy in the hydro-pool and the opportunity to do horse riding. Keira used to compete in dressage and we never thought she would be able to ride again; within three weeks she was riding with the Riding for the Disabled Association again, and watching her smile has to be one of my favourite memories.
All the parent support has helped; the staff’s compassion, information and psychologist sessions have been so helpful. The staff have really gone above and beyond for Keira and for me as a parent. The Children’s Trust is really a very special place.
Going home
I am excited about the next phase. Cognitively, Keira is doing well, her short-term memory is sometimes a bit difficult but I’m so pleased and grateful for how far she’s come.
Watching Keira today really shows where she’s come from and where she’s got to. Everything has been prepared for her to get on when she gets home and outside. The Occupational Therapist has aligned with the school, so that she gets the correct care and we don’t have to worry about her going back to the classroom and getting lost.
Looking to the future
Without The Children's Trust, I would have been left with a very drained and weak child with an uncontrollable leg. Keira had trouble writing and you could maybe make out her name if you really looked, but in the 12 weeks we have been at The Children’s Trust we can see a future. We’re looking at colleges for September and long term, Keira hopes to become a midwife.
The Children’s Trust is a truly amazing place, and the staff are incredible. I can’t rate it or say enough good things about it.
I tell everyone that the hospital got her here, but The Children's Trust got her home and gave her a future. Any parent hopes for that.
