Look How Far I Have Come
Thirty-Seven year old Tom has Cerebal Palsy and visits the Centre weekly for 1:1 therapy sessions in the hydrotherapy pool.
“Six years ago, life was difficult, my mental health was at an all-time low. Doctors put me on anti-depressants but side effects from the medication resulted in severe memory loss. I was admitted to hospital and had to stay for quite a long time. It was then suggested I go into a care home for a bit of rest and convalescence.
I was in a home until March 2018. I was stronger but still not in a great mental state for nearly two years after. However, one morning I woke and told myself to snap out of it, did I really want to be like this forever…? The answer was no!
I discovered Merlin Neuro Therapy Centre in early 2022. It’s now a huge part of my life. Along with journalism and writing, the Centre is most definitely what keeps me going.
One of my goals was to walk in water, this I am now able to do. It makes me feel free and boosts my confidence. I am proud of how far I have come. My strength has increased along with my ability to reach and hold things handed to me in the pool, this has certainly helped in everyday life.
Being part of the Centre has boosted my confidence and increased my ability to socialise. I am a much more positive person than I was five years ago and I have come further than I ever thought possible. I love going to the cinema, but in the past anxiety attacks would stop me. My increase in confidence has meant I don’t need to worry about that anymore, I am feeling more independent, can do more for myself and am enjoying life.
I have recently got an interactive control for my TV so I can turn it on and off and change channels independently. I also have my Alexa which allows me to also change channels and turn on and off the TV.
Mel (Clinical Lead) recently put me in touch with Coastal Crusaders who have a seated surfboard to enable disabled people to surf and I enjoy it.
I can now drive my wheelchair up the ramp into my car which I couldn’t do before.
My goal for the future is to continue evolving as a person. I know I can do more, and this will come with time. I don’t have many friends, but with the confidence to socialise more and more I hope to change this. I also have plans to start my own podcast so watch this space!”