Doug

“At 9pm on a Monday in February 2022 I was refereeing an adults 6-a-side football league match on an astro-turf pitch at a local school. Two players came together and, unfortunately, included me in their tackle, throwing me onto the concrete surround of the astro-turf playing area.

As a result of the fall my right hip was shattered. I was transported to the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading where my hip was reconstructed, but not as well as expected. The nerve pathways in my right leg were interfered with, resulting in my now permanent “foot drop”. Further complications meant that I spent the following 63 days in two hospitals, the Royal Berks and Wokingham District, where efforts were made to get me mobile once more. The physiotherapy in the Royal Berks was minimal, but the Wokingham District team made much greater efforts to improve my situation. I was returned home and confined to my bedroom for a further two weeks.

Physiotherapy nurses visited for the statutory six weeks, where I was encouraged to master the zimmer frame, the wheelchair and the rollator, plus the ever-present walking stick.

My progress was slow until a friend of my wife’s recommended the West Berkshire Therapy Centre in Thatcham. I was assessed there in July 2022 and have attended this gem of a place every Monday and Thursday ever since. The story of my improving mobility and well-began here. The machines are more than adequate to improve my situation.

I now walk and move much, much better, due to the apparatus available, plus, of course the diligent attention of the support staff who are extremely confident, competent and caring throughout each visit. Not only is the Therapy Centre more than capable of copying with physical disabilities, but it provides a very comfortable social experience throughout the year.

I feel privileged to be part of the West Berkshire Therapy Centre and will be ever-thankful that I found them when I did. My entire professional career was spent in Physical Education and as such I can really see how the Therapy Centre is a vital and valuable service to the community.”