Following a surgical procedure and a long history of arthritis, Diana came to Askham Rehab with reduced mobility, altered sensation in her feet, and a loss of confidence with everyday tasks. From the outset, a holistic and intensive rehabilitation programme was designed around her personal goals, focusing on strength, mobility, fatigue management, and functional independence.

Diana undertook three physiotherapy sessions each day, including robotics-assisted therapy, one-to-one physiotherapy, and daily hydrotherapy. The hydro pool became a key turning point in her rehabilitation, easing pain and allowing her to move with greater confidence. Alongside this, occupational therapy supported her with functional activities in the kitchen and bathroom, using specialist equipment to promote independence.

With strong motivation and active involvement in goal-setting, Diana achieved significant progress within a short timeframe. She has improved mobility, greater independence, and increased control of bladder and bowel function. Having completed her inpatient rehabilitation, Diana continues her recovery as an outpatient, supported by the Askham Rehab multidisciplinary team.

Jason arrived at Askham Rehab after being told he would be bed-bound, facing a future that felt very different from the active life he had known before. At the start of his rehabilitation, he relied heavily on a wheelchair and required significant support with mobility.

Through a personalised rehabilitation programme and the consistent support of the multidisciplinary team, Jason began to regain strength, confidence, and movement. A key milestone in his journey was walking with a frame, an achievement that surprised him and marked a powerful moment in his recovery. Shortly after, he went on to complete an additional six minutes of walking with crutches, further reinforcing his progress.

Jason now relies less on his wheelchair and continues to build independence through rehabilitation. Describing his progress as “unbelievable,” his journey highlights the impact of intensive therapy, determination, and the right support at the right time.

Angela, a former intensive care nurse from the United States, sustained multiple fractures after being struck by a vehicle while cycling to work. Following a prolonged hospital stay, she was left with significant lower-limb weakness, loss of sensation in her left leg, and an inability to walk, requiring specialist rehabilitation support.

At Askham Rehab, Angela received a comprehensive, multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, psychology input, and daily hydrotherapy. Therapy focused on pain management, functional independence, and practical problem-solving in everyday activities such as cooking, budgeting, shopping, and managing daily routines using specialist equipment.

Through determination and ongoing support from the team, Angela has gained greater independence and confidence. Living independently in supported accommodation, she continues to build structure into her daily life, engage in meaningful activities such as yoga, and progress towards her long-term goal of increased independence.

Luke Woods’ life changed dramatically after being diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis, a rare spinal cord condition that left him non-weight-bearing and fully dependent. When he arrived at Askham Rehab in 2024, even everyday activities required full assistance, and his family faced the challenges of living in a non-adapted home.

Through the support of our interdisciplinary team, Luke’s programme focused on mobility, daily living skills, and emotional well-being, enriched with pioneering therapies such as hydrotherapy, robotic-assisted movement, and advanced wheelchair training.

Despite setbacks, including a period of strict bed rest, Luke made remarkable progress. He learned to self-propel outdoors, manage his personal care with minimal support, transfer independently, and even practice floor recovery so he could safely play with his children.

Today, Luke is preparing to move into an adapted home with his family, equipped with the confidence, skills, and independence to continue his journey. His story is a true testament to resilience, innovation, and the life-changing impact of specialist neurorehabilitation.

Read more about Luke’s rehabilitation journey here.

At 61, Deborah faced life-changing challenges following spinal surgery for cervical myelopathy. She arrived at Askham Rehab wheelchair-dependent, with significant mobility issues, fine motor difficulties, and anxiety about open spaces.

Working with our interdisciplinary team, including physiotherapists, occupational therapists, neuropsychologists, and rehabilitation nurses, Deborah received a tailored programme focusing on mobility, emotional wellbeing, and independence in daily living.

Within six weeks, she progressed from relying on a wheelchair to walking independently with a Fischer stick indoors, while building confidence for community mobility. With occupational therapy support, she achieved her self-set goals and was able to return home without a care package, relying only on minor equipment and community-based therapy for ongoing support.

Deborah’s transformation is a testament to the impact of specialist neurorehabilitation: from wheelchair dependence to independent living, with renewed confidence and control over her life.

Read more about Deborah’s rehabilitation journey here.

After suffering an abdominal aortic aneurysm, Brian was left with no movement in his left leg and limited movement in his right following a life-changing aneurysm. Being a former judo instructor, he was used to pushing his body to the limit and managed to use this in his favour: his ambition guided him a lot in his journey towards walking independently again.

In a matter of months, our rehab team helped him to get back on his feet again, even though this rehabilitation journey has tested his physical and mental guise to the limit.

Watch the video or read his tremendous story here.

After suffering a stroke, Isabel’s life has completely changed; however, thanks to all the support she has received from her friends, family and our specialist rehabilitation team, she has been able to realise how far she has come and, thus, has motivated her to continue her rehab journey, even after being discharged.

57-year-old former bus driver and mother of three from Cambridgeshire, Isabel Purcell suffered a life-changing bleed on the brain in July 2022.

Isabel, who was very active before her stroke, was referred to Askham Rehab for an initial 8 weeks and since discharge, now attends its outpatient service to fulfil her ongoing rehab goals. Since joining the progressive and personable community, she has come on leaps and bounds — overcoming the challenges of being restricted to full use in just one arm and leg.

Watch the video or read her wonderful story here.

Josh, a 26-year-old radio presenter from Huntingdon, was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour at just two years old. This subsequently affected his central nervous system and, as a result, he became a wheelchair user from the age of 12. As his condition progressed throughout his adolescence, his passion for radio grew – and he proceeded to work as a presenter on his university’s radio station, in addition to other local broadcast roles.

However, after becoming a radio presenter for a local community station in 2011, Josh’s tumour caused respiratory complications – and consequently, he had to step away from presenting and move into a producing role. This, however, was short-lived; in 2018, Josh caught pneumonia – which left him needing six months of intensive care.

Upon entering our rehabilitation centre, Joshua found it challenging to talk at length and articulate words, due to becoming breathless. Additionally, he was only able to sit independently outside the constraints of his wheelchair for a short period of time before needing assistance.

Watch the video or read his story here.

35 weeks pregnant – and COVID-19 positive – Hajrah Aslam gave birth to a beautiful baby boy just hours before falling into a six-week induced coma.

Following the birth, Hajrah’s oxygen levels dropped dangerously low from the virus – but thanks to a specialist neuro rehab therapy programme, she is now cradling her new-born son once again.

Hajrah, a 28-year-old insurer, caught coronavirus in January 2021 which subsequently led to complications and her baby having to be delivered by C-section. On the same night she gave birth to Huzayfah, Hajrah was put in an induced coma to help relieve her lungs after the virus caused her oxygen levels to drop significantly.

After waking from her coma, Hajrah joined us at Askham Rehab in April to begin her recovery – a journey she describes as the hardest thing she’s ever had to overcome in her life.

Watch the video or read her story here.

A Royal Air Force veteran of 12 years, 85-year-old Herbert’s inspiring past saw him deploy to Cyprus, Australia, Pakistan and Singapore throughout his career.

On New Years’ Eve 2020, Herbert unexpectedly suffered a fall – and, subsequently, a subarachnoid haemorrhage that caused a bleed between his brain and skull.

The severity of his injury left Herbert extremely fatigued and resulted in muscle weakness that restricted his mobility.

His extraordinary response to treatment from our multidisciplinary team of therapists, combined with the inspiring support from his son and two grandchildren, means that Herbert is almost ready to return to his home in Littleport.

Watch the video or read his story here.

Justin Urquhart, a 59-year-old from King’s Lynn, joined us for rehabilitation following degeneration injuries in his neck and lower spine. In 2020, his injuries developed into an infection, which severely hampered his mobility.

In addition to cervical spinal stenosis (the narrowing of the neck area of the upper spine, subsequently putting pressure on spinal nerves), Justin suffered discitis in the two lowest vertebrae of his lumbar spine (L4 and L5). The inflammation between the intervertebral discs led to the bacterial infection that caused Justin’s loss of mobility.

Watch the video or read his story here.

Having suffered the effects of one of the world’s rarest neurological conditions, Hayley spent eight days in an induced coma, before being referred to our rehab centre to begin her recovery.

Guillain-Barre Syndrome, or GBS, is a neurological condition in which the immune system attacks the nerves. This can cause trouble with motor coordination, (i.e. balance), muscle weakness, numbness and walking difficulties. Whilst it can be a life-threatening condition, it can be treated, and most people will make a full recovery.

Being such a rare condition, it is not fully understood why the immune system mistakenly attacks the nerves – but the condition often occurs following infection. In Hayley’s case, it’s believed to have been caused by a common cold she suffered in August 2020.

Before her admission to us, 44-year-old Hayley had spent three months in an intensive care unit, in which she required mechanical ventilation with a tracheostomy.

Watch the videos or read her story here.

A former Wisbech carpenter, he was tragically involved in a serious road traffic collision in 2017.

The accident, which involved David’s car hitting a lorry in the Fenland District, left him with a diffuse axonal brain injury – one of the most dangerous types of head injuries. David had to have an at-scene amputation of his right arm just above the elbow.

Admitted to our rehab centre from a Level 1 rehabilitation unit in 2018, David arrived in a prolonged disorder of consciousness, where he was unable to engage in therapy sessions or make eye contact with others.

Watch the video or read his story here.

Askham Village Community welcomed a married couple, Rachael and Jasmin Evans, to its Doddington site where Jasmin received rehabilitative treatment following a severe brain aneurysm and two strokes, which left her speechless, partially blind and practically immobile.

Arriving a little over ten weeks ago, the couple are now preparing to leave following an extensive programme with Askham Rehab that saw the pair move into an apartment onsite, as part of the rehabilitative journey. She was given a weekly timetable that covered seven days a week and included one-on-one therapy sessions with all four of Askham’s disciplines; speech and language, occupational, physio and psychology.

Having Jasmin at the centre of the rehabilitation programme – a core ethos at Askham – allowed Rachael to be incorporated into the sessions that included group activities too.

Watch the video or read their story here.