Emily was just 17 when a brain haemorrhage left her paralysed and unable to speak. “We were told that Emily would never be able to stand, walk, initiate movement or conversation,” says her mother, Marie. “Three months into her recovery, we were recommended a place she could go to pass away peacefully.”
Determined to help her defy this diagnosis, Emily’s incredibly close and loving family came together to fight for her right to the best rehab they could find. With husband Ian’s tremendous support, Marie left work to focus her attention on supporting Emily while together they helped her siblings navigate their changed situation. “Ian was my rock and I was his,” says Marie. “We made all the decisions as a family and everyone stepped up remarkably.”
After Emily left St George’s Hospital in May 2022, she went to Northwick Park Hospital near Wembley where she stayed for just over six months. In November 2022 she transferred to the Kingston Rehabilitation Centre before eventually returning home on September 4, 2024. By this time, Emily had regained sitting balance and was able to communicate by whispering words and using her iPad. Surgery to release the spasticity in her Achilles tendons meant she could once again put her feet flat on the floor. Her next goal was to stand and walk. Emily also wanted to build enough strength so she could roll over in bed and transfer independently between her chair and bed.
“It was wonderful to have Emily home with us but having left hospital and residential rehab, we were then at a loss as therapy after stroke and brain injury is very limited,” says Marie.
In June 2024, Emily started on our specialist activity-based rehabilitation programme here at Neurokinex and this proved to be a major turning point in her recovery.
“Neurokinex has been extremely important to Emily both mentally and physically,” says Marie. “Before her brain injury, Emily was a very sporty girl who ran for Surrey, was a great netball player and dancer, a ball girl at Wimbledon Tennis and an aspiring model.”
Emily loves the young staff at Neurokinex and responded immediately to their training protocols and the gym environment. Using her athletic mindset and determination, she works really well with the specialist trainers.
Since starting at Neurokinex, Emily’s core has become much stronger, her sitting balance is improved and she is now able to complete sit-to-standing movement. She has started to walk with a frame and her muscle memory on how to place her feet and take steps is returning.
“Neurokinex shares our ‘never say never’ belief and its activity-based rehabilitation programme is giving Emily the opportunity to really push and challenge herself to set and meet new goals,” says Marie.
“When Emily first joined us, she was only able to manage one hour of activity-based rehabilitation a week but she swiftly progressed to managing four hours a week as she built her endurance,” says Rocky Addison, Neurokinex trainer. “Emily works tremendously hard and is making excellent progress towards achieving her goal of greater independence at home. There is no exercise too big or crazy for Emily to tackle and she will almost never ask for a break. She makes improvements in every session and her commitment and drive are simply inspiring.”
