Main image via Daily Mail + Pharmaceutical Technology
It’s been over a year since the first Covid-19 case was reported in Malaysia and around the world, the pandemic is still taking over.
We’ve all had to embrace a new normal of working from home and following standard operating procedures everywhere that a “normal” life is looked back upon fondly.
For Joseph Flavill, yesterday’s world is a lot closer because while we’ve been in a pandemic for months, he just woke up from a 11-month coma, and he has no idea about the impact of the virus.
via GIPHY
Before the first lockdown in the UK was put in place, Joseph was unfortunately hit by a car and went into a coma.
The accident occurred on 1st March 2020 while the 19-year-old was walking through Burton, in Staffordshire, UK, and since then, he has spent all his time unconscious at Leicester General Hospital.
Image via Daily Mail
But now, 11-months later, the teenager has finally opened his eyes and is moving his limbs as directed – an immense progress that his family is thrilled about.
“At first his eyes were open but he wasn’t responding to anything, but over the last few weeks, he’s taken amazing steps,” Joseph’s aunt, Sally Flavill-Smith shared. “He’s really trying to engage and blinks and smiles. He’s raising his limbs on instruction.”
“He’s making really good progress,” she added.” We’ve got to try to remain positive. He’s definitely making an improvement.”
Image via Daily Mail
While his family are excited about the 19-year-old’s progress, they are now wondering how to explain this new world to him, especially about lockdowns, social distancing and SOPs.
Due to visitation restrictions, only Joseph’s mum, Sharon Priestly has been allowed to visit him in the hospital.
Despite not knowing about Covid-19, the teenager has caught the virus twice – once while he was still in a come and another time since he woke up. He has however come through it.
To help continue with his recovery, he was transferred to Adderley Green in Stoke, which provides neurological, physical and cognitive rehabilitation, four months ago. During his time there, he caught the virus for the second time and had to isolate.
His family members have had to speak to him through FaceTime and his aunt shared that his face would light up when seeing his loved ones.
Image via Daily Mail
“It’s the best we have seen him recently,” Sally said. “It might seem like little progress but the fact that he can give the nurse a high five is a really big step. It’s unbelievably hard for his mum not being able to see him.”
“We also don’t know how much he understands as his accident was before the first lockdown and it’s almost like he has slept through the whole pandemic,” she added.
“It’s hard as we know he is more alert, but how do you explain the pandemic to someone who has been in a coma?” she asked. “A brain injury is very much the unknown, so we haven’t been given an idea of what to expect really.”
His aunt also shared that they want him to start physiotherapy – which was helping him, but unfortunately Covid-19 restrictions have put a stop to that.
Image via Daily Mail
Before the accident, Joseph was studying for his A-levels at the de Ferrers Academy and enjoyed playing hockey and other sports.
He was also an air cadet who was waiting to receive his coveted gold Duke of Edinburgh award.
Joseph had initially wanted to spend a year travelling after completing his A-levels (won’t he be surprised), so now his friends and family have decided to do something special for him instead.
Around 100 people have volunteered to cycle, walk, run and row to travel the equivalent of an around-the-world trip from home. In 20 days, the team have already completed 12,874km together.
Image via Daily Mail
We hope Joseph will make a full recovery and be able to make a trip around the world one day – after he learns about Covid-19 and we’re once again able to travel of course.
Get well soon Joseph!
How do you think you’d react if you woke up one day without knowledge about the ongoing pandemic? Let us know!
Info via Daily Mail