Scott's Story
In 2011, Scott suffered a traumatic brain injury after falling from 40 feet. Along with the brain injury, he also fractured his cheek bones, had multiple cracked ribs, a punctured lung, a broken hand and a fractured coccyx. When he was admitted to hospital, he was put in an induced coma and his parents and Hayley were told that if he survived, he would be in an inpatient facility for at least two years.Scott says: "When I finally woke, I had lost the ability to walk, read, talk and my memory was limited to me as a 16 year-old. I stayed for a brief period in a live-in facility. Hayley, then left her job to become my full-time carer and I was able to come home. I was in hospital for little over 17 weeks before returning home to start cognitive rehabilitation. Although I had made what many considered a 'miracle' recovery and had completed rehab, I was told that with a TBI of my scale, I may not be able to return to work, will struggle with day-to-day tasks and need to come to terms with a very different life. 13 years on, I am married to the girl who stood by me through the dark times and we have a daughter together. I have studied part-time to become a Chartered Quantity Surveyor, I have achieved professional membership status of the RICS and I am also a mental health Ambassador for LionHeart (a charity that supports RICS surveyors and their families in times of need). I am now extremely proud to announce that I have been appointed as an ambassador for SameYou".Scott and Hayley recently spoke in Parliament, alongside Emilla, and the Big Issue to an audience of business leaders, healthcare professionals and key politicians, focusing on helping employers better understand how they can support their employees return to work after such injuries.With stats like 1 in 3 people will suffer from brain injury in their lifetime, it's so important that we work together to ensure companies are better equipped, and survivors are supported returning to the working environment.💙
