A Newcastle man is hoping to be able to walk with crutches soon after falling 30 feet during a solo hike on a Welsh mountain.
Jamie Hardesty was on holiday with his wife Sammy in North Wales when the incident happened, which has left him in a wheelchair - he hopes temporarily. He was out on Mount Tryfan in Snowdonia when he fell, landing on his back after trying to climb down to a ledge.
The 31-year-old was airlifted to the major trauma centre at Aintree University Hospital, where they found he had broken his chest, ribcage and back in three places. He also had collapsed both of his lungs during the fall.
Read more: Family make desperate plea to bring home North East nana fighting for her life in Turkey
Jamie told the Liverpool Echo : "I knew I was in a bad way, but I didn’t know to what extent. I couldn’t move my legs, so I thought that I’d badly broken them.
"I was confused when I got to A&E because I was pleading with them not to amputate my legs, not knowing that it was referred pain from the damage done to my spine."
During the initial assessment, Consultant Spinal Surgeon Miss Maggie Lee assessed Jamie and conducted the necessary complex spinal surgery. He said: "Miss Lee was amazing at calming me down in those initial conversations.
"I was in surgery for a long time while she was reinforcing my spine. When I woke up I had no sensation below my hips, the damage was that extensive."
Jamie, who was on an adventure holiday with Sammy, is an active person and was hit hard by the prospect that he may never walk again. However, there is potential for recovery as the Thoracic-level spinal damage he sustained is classed as an 'Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury.'
He continued: "I remember being very upset after the surgery because of the lack of feeling in my legs. I’m a very active person, I’ve run half-marathons in the past, I love walking and hiking.
"So facing the prospect of never being able to walk again hit me very hard. But Miss Lee and the staff on Horsley ICU were excellent in looking after me and keeping my spirits up."
Jamie has been receiving intensive physiotherapy since the injury to help him get back on his feet and is so far up to walking with a Zimmer frame. He recently returned to the Aintree University Hospital's Walton Centre to visit Miss Lee and the teams that helped save his life and mobility.
He said: "Progress is slow and I’m using a wheelchair mainly for the moment, but considering the extent of the damage I’m grateful to be this far along. I was so happy to come back and see the staff and Miss Lee to show them my progress.
"I’m determined to carry on my rehabilitation and walk unassisted again. Next step – walking with crutches!"
Miss Lee said: "With an injury like this, initial treatment is to stabilise the spinal column so we can mobilise and treat the patient safely. The initial trauma causes the spinal cord to be inflamed and swollen, preventing the nerves from functioning properly and this can be devastating.
"As at times, there may be no function, there can be loss of sensation, loss of movement or loss of control of body functions. As this settles, nerves can regain some function, especially with an incomplete injury and individuals may recover some function as late as 18 months after the injury.
"It is important to remember that all patients are individuals and outcomes can differ. Jamie had a great positive attitude, which plays an important part in his rehabilitation.
"He is surrounded by his supportive family and a great team of therapists. I only played a small part in his journey; he is an inspiration to other patients with spinal cord injury.
"I am so pleased to see how far he’s come in six months. I hope he continues to recover well."
Read next
-
Wetherspoons customer 'hardly slept' since disagreement with staff at Metrocentre pub
-
TUI holidaymakers slam 'worst' five-star Cape Verde trip after being struck down with sickness bug
-
Heartbreak as Sunderland singer diagnosed with 'terrifying' rare brain tumour
-
Mum has just days to find new North East home after escaping war-torn Ukraine with her two children
-
Sunderland mum, 33, hopes to complete 'bucket list' with daughter after incurable cancer diagnosis
