Service user Philip Allen was helped by an occupational therapist after a brain injury to see that life could be ‘different but not necessarily worse’, he told the closing plenary of RCOT’s annual conference.
Philip’s life was changed dramatically after a cycling accident on a family holiday in Cornwall in 2010. Having previously lived at home with his wife and three children and working as a lawyer at a global law film, Philip has since had to acclimatise to life living away from his family and not being able to take up paid employment.
His injuries included brain injuries despite having worn a helmet, as well as deafness in one ear and lost sight in one eye.
He said: ’[With hidden disability] it’s easy to think there’s nothing going on with someone when there’s a lot going on behind the scenes.’
However, it was the mental changes that required the biggest adjustments in the long term, including behavioural changes, cognitive impacts such as memory loss, and emotional problems including a tendency towards negativity.
He found it hard to acclimatise to the loss of his family role and losing employment: ‘I felt like a new Phil, Phil 2.0 […] but to be honest I didn’t like Phil 2.0,’ he said.
However, with the support of friends, family and professionals, Phil has acclimated to the idea that life is ‘different but not necessarily worse’, and he now takes part in voluntary work, playing instruments and writing. Added Phil: ’It’s a journey. I’m trying. I’ve not got there yet but I’m blessed with others around me.’
He thanked his wife and an occupational therapist who have helped him to adjust, as have several friends that have helped him to take part in triathlons.
He shared a quote from REM frontman Michael Stipe: ‘I guess a three-legged dog is still a dog. It just has to learn to run differently.’
Added Phil: ’I’m that dog and you’re helping me to run differently. I thank you all.’
Also at the plenary, chief executive Julia Scott extended thanks to several people leaving roles, including Patricia McClure as RCOT chair of council, Julia Skelton as RCOT director of professional operations, and Sarah Bodell and Dee Christie from the conference development team.