ionigeria.com Nigerian Newspaper
A British student has woken from an 11-month coma after a car crash, with no knowledge of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Joseph Flavill, 19, was hit by a car while walking near his home in Tutbury, Staffordshire, on March 1 – three weeks before Britain’s first national lockdown began.
Since then he has spent nearly 11 months in a coma, but is on the road to recovery after waking up, as he manages to respond by blinking and smiling to loved ones.
A-Level student Joe, went into a coma three weeks before the UK was plunged into its first national lockdown on March 23.
He caught COVID twice in hospital, but recovered and has now emerged from a stage-two coma. But it meant he has had no knowledge of the pandemic that has hit millions of people across the globe.
Nearly a year after the accident, Joe has contracted Covid-19 twice and recovered, while also progressing well from his injuries. He is now able to open his eyes and move his limbs when told to do so
‘UNBELIEVABLY HARD’
Only Joe’s mum has been allowed to visit under virus restrictions, with his relatives now wondering how to explain the world’s COVID chaos to him.
His aunt Sally Flavill-Smith said he has taken “amazing steps” in recent weeks and is now blinking, smiling and raising his legs on instruction.
“It’s the best we have seen him recently. It might seem like little progress, but the fact he can give the nurse a high five is a really big step,” she told Staffordshire Live.
“It’s unbelievably hard for his mum not being able to see him.
Joe was in Leicester General Hospital, but moved to Adderley Green Care Home in Stoke for neurological, physical and cognitive rehabilitation four months ago.
His mum was allowed to spend time with him at the home on his 19th birthday, but had to stay socially distanced.
Joe, who studied at The de Ferrers Academy, caught COVID once while still in a coma and once after waking, but is now progressing well.
Sally said his face lights up when he sees friends and family on the FaceTime screen.
His family want him to restart on his physiotherapy, which had to stop due to COVID.
He had wanted to take a year out after his A-levels to go travelling, so now his family and pals are planning something special for him.
Fit and healthy Joe, who loved hockey, had been waiting to attend Buckingham Palace to receive his gold Duke of Edinburgh award before the accident.
Family and friends have rallied round, with more than $59,000 raised to help Joe and his mum Sharon Priestley through the teenager’s recovery.
Around 100 fundraisers have racked up 12,000km by cycling, walking, running and rowing for a virtual around-the-world trip
