A woman from Fife, who served in the Royal Navy, wants to put a spotlight on the support that her family has received from Help for Heroes, to help clear up misconceptions that some people might have about the Charity and to encourage others to seek help.
Elaine Paxton, aged 57 and who lives in Cupar, had been struggling to get any support for herself and her husband Adrian, who was in hospital with a catastrophic brain injury, after experiencing four strokes within a six-week period. Adrian, who had been in the RAF for 25 years, was rushed into hospital in January 2022 and was left unable to walk or talk, had to be fed through a tube and was still in hospital 18 months later.
However, Elaine believed that with determination and the right care, he could continue to make improvements. She desperately wanted to get Adrian home, however health and social care services said that was impossible and that he’d have to go into a care home. Elaine hadn’t thought to get in touch with Help for Heroes as she believed it was just focused on sports activities for veterans who had been injured in service and says that she wishes she’d known what the Charity could do earlier.
She explained, “I was feeling absolutely exhausted with the strain of battling to get Adrian home, but still having to manage a full-time job. I felt that everyone had given up on us and didn’t believe me when I said that Adrian still had a life to live and didn’t need to be in a care home.
“I met Jane Thomson, who is the Clinical Advisor for Scotland, at a local veterans’ breakfast club, and it all just came out. When she said that she could help us, I didn’t believe her at first.”
Elaine had been told that she needed an OT assessment before she could get a discharge date for Adrian, but they couldn’t get a discharge date until he’d had an OT assessment. Through the Charity, an OT assessment was carried out and the charity advised on adaptations that would be needed at home. They also suggested additional exercises to help with Adrian’s rehabilitation and are currently exploring other speech and language aids to help support Adrian with his communication. More than that, they believed Elaine when she said that Adrian could make improvements.
Adrian's life isn’t over because he's had a stroke - it's just going down a different path and Help for Heroes has been there to help him find the right path"
Royal Navy Veteran
Elaine added, “Jane believed me, but not only that, she delivered. She understood what I meant when I said that I wanted Adrian to still live a life and with their support we’re doing that. He can now walk using a frame and can eat solid food. In the summer we went on an adventure weekend in Aviemore organized by the Charity and Adrian got into a canoe; and with the help of an adaptive bike, he managed to peddle a short way around Loch. Being out in the fresh air and amongst other fellow veterans, encouraged him to try out new things and build confidence with his rehabilitation."
“Adrian's life isn’t over because he's had a stroke - it's just going down a different path and Help for Heroes has been there to help him find the right path. That's why I’d say for any veterans who are struggling, whatever the challenge, get in touch and see what they can do to help you.”
Elaine has also been supported by the charity and attended a sleep management course through the Recovery College and had some counselling sessions delivered by the Hidden Wounds team; and she attended the adventure weekend with Adrian in Aviemore.
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