Danny's story

Recently discharged RHN patient Danny McMorrow remembers little of the events that first brought him to the Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability (RHN) but he will never forget the care he received there.
 
Suddenly deprived of oxygen to his brain when struck down by meningitis in, Danny, an IT professional, was rushed to Princes Royal Hospital in London and spent the following three months in and out of consciousness, unable to move or talk.  As he was unable to speak, Danny used an alphabet board to communicate with his partner, Mike by pointing to letters to form words.
 
“It took absolutely ages to spell out even the simplest of things at first.  I tried to mouth words to Mike but he couldn't understand me.  My proposal took two weeks to communicate; I spelt out the word 'marry' and then 'will you' and finally Mike got the message! - He said yes, of course!”
 
He was then referred to the RHN for a lengthy process of rehabilitation. His first impression of the hospital as he was wheeled through the amazing gardens and immense halls on a stretcher was of a very wonderful, calming environment.  It was here that he stood for the first time, nine months after the meningitis attack so the RHN will always hold a very special place in his heart.
 
Nearly a year at the RHN has meant that Danny has experienced a wide range of treatments. 
His physiotherapy sessions began with a simple but vital device which tilts to help you stand up.   
 
“The physiotherapy sessions were a lot of fun and I received so much support from the relaxed and caring staff that helped me so much,” explained Danny.  “I would sit on a special device on the side of the bed and the staff would pump it so that I was in a standing position holding onto bars.  It took a little getting used to; the first time we used it, my feet were in a lot of pain but after the third time, it was fabulous.”
 
Months later, Danny was able to stand for the first time, but says he could never have managed that without the specialist equipment and the help of the staff.  “The first time I stood – it was amazing!  My aim since arriving had always been to walk again and I know now that I’m on the right track.” 
 
Danny had to learn just about everything from scratch which involved working with many different departments within the RHN.  The speech & language team helped him regain the use of his voice and the occupational therapy departments encouraged him as he relearnt how to do simple but functional tasks, such as dressing himself and buttering bread and sandwiches. 
For the last phase of his in-patient rehabilitation he  moved to Haberdashers House, where the purpose built unit supports people to re-learn and develop the skills they will need to re-adjust to life outside the hospital, in a real life setting.  
 
Danny's positive attitude has accompanied him throughout his recovery.  “It has been a positive experience,” he explains. “There haven’t been any negative aspects but I think that is as much because you need to have that optimism in your mind.  However, positive mental attitude alone is not enough and I could never have done this without the support of the fantastically patient staff at the RHN.” 
 
“I want to go back to work.  And I want to walk.  Every day there is something new. These things take time.  Everything is a step forward.”
 
Although Danny has now been discharged from the RHN his recovery is not yet complete.  He still wears splints at night to straighten his little finger.    He is no stranger to splints and recognises their effectiveness, having used splints for his feet on the ward. 
 
“My feet dropped,” he adds, “ so I had special boots to wear to support them and they were brilliant. When I first came to the RHN I didn’t have shoes, but now I do.”
 
Now that he has been discharged, Danny will continue with physiotherapy for 12 weeks and he is determined to walk again.   His integrated rehabilitation at the RHN has prepared him for independent living, and he has now returned to a specially adapted home where he will celebrate his first Christmas in his new home with Mike.