At just 27, Adam’s drink was spiked at a party. He suffered a brain bleed and fell into a coma. When he woke, he could only blink.
Progress in hospital was slow, and it became clear he needed coordinated nursing and daily therapy input to move forward.
Since moving to Greenside Court, he’s regained movement and communication, gained greater independence in daily life, achieved a Level 2 English qualification, and become a confident Service User Ambassador.
When progress felt out of reach
Before his injury, Adam lived independently with his dog, Storm, and loved going out with friends. He managed his schizophrenia diagnosis well with medication.
One night, Adam went to a party and unknowingly drank something that had been spiked.
When a friend hadn’t heard from him for five days, they went to his flat and found him critically unwell. He was rushed to hospital, where he later woke up surrounded by machines.
Adam needed life-saving surgery and spent months in hospital - first in a high dependency unit, then a rehabilitation ward. He had a tracheostomy, was fed through a PEG tube, and could only blink to communicate.
After a year, hospital teams felt his recovery had plateaued. He moved to Greenside Court to access consistent nurse-led oversight and in-house therapy.
“At first I felt scared - I’d gone from doing everything myself to needing help with washing, eating, and dressing. But now I feel comfortable here and I feel safe again.
"I felt like a nobody, but the staff have helped me see life differently.”
From early recovery to rebuilding independence
When Adam arrived, blinking was his only way to communicate. A personalised therapy plan brought together physiotherapy and speech and language support to rebuild both movement and communication.
He’s now regained movement on his right side, can stand and take a few steps, and independently controls his electric wheelchair.
He can also say a few words and uses an assisted speech programme attached to his wheelchair, which he calls his “lifeline”.
With this support, Adam can now express his views, make daily choices, reconnect socially, and live life with far greater independence.
Leading with lived experience
At first, Adam struggled to accept what had happened. With emotional and psychological support, he began rebuilding trust and purpose.
Now a Service User Ambassador and Regional Ambassador, he represents residents at Council meetings, contributes to interviews, welcomes new residents as a Buddy, and presents feedback directly to senior leaders.
He’s even spoken at national events and to nursing and social work students.
“I like being able to share my experience with people who are scared about moving into a care home, just like I was. It feels good knowing I’ve helped someone.
“Being a Service User Ambassador makes me feel important. When you take things to council meetings, you’re listened to and we make a real difference.
"I love that we can work together to build a better life for everyone.”
College, confidence, and normal life
Consistent nurse-led oversight and multidisciplinary input have created the stability for Adam to focus on living, not just recovery - and he’s determined to continue building his future.
With encouragement from the team, he enrolled at college and achieved a Level 2 Functional Skills qualification in English.
“I feel I can live a normal life again,” he says.
He’s building strength, progressing in his studies, and expanding his Ambassador role - defined not by what happened to him, but by where he’s heading next.
Strength, studies, and what’s next
Adam’s goals continue to grow. He wants to keep building his strength, progress further in his studies, and expand his Ambassador role.
With coordinated nursing and multidisciplinary support around him, his life today is focused on progress, not the events that brought him here.
He’s continuing to build independence, confidence, and a future that reflects who he is now.