Before her brain injury, Kacie was an active and sociable person. Always out and about, she enjoyed spending time with friends and family. Naturally outgoing, she would engage in lively conversations and learn about others’ unique stories.
In 2023, Kacie’s own story changed forever. She was a passenger in a road traffic accident and sustained a life-changing neurological injury. Immediately admitted to intensive care, she stayed in hospital for over 16 months. When an MRI showed a complex brain injury, she knew her active, independent life would never be the same again.
With new mobility issues and other complex needs, her busy days and budding social life slipped away. But they were something Kacie aspired to regain. When she joined us at Linnet Mews, our specialist neurological support service in Chesterfield, our team immediately saw how much being independent meant to her. With their specialist approach, they worked closely with her to develop practical skills and nurture her cognitive abilities, so she could regain the independence she had lost. Now, Kacie’s planning to make a big move that marks the end of a difficult journey – and the start of an exciting future!
Seeking specialist neurological support
After her accident, an MRI scan showed Kacie had Diffuse Axonal Injury. Fragile parts of her brain were damaged, significantly impacting her central nervous system. She needed round-the-clock support with many aspects of daily life, including walking and eating. This meant she couldn’t return home when she was ready to leave hospital.
This was a daunting prospect for Kacie, who had previously been completely independent. But when she met our team at Linnet Mews, she instantly felt reassured that she had found a support setting that felt like home.
Our team collaborated with Kacie to understand what her life was like before her injury. Using person-centred approaches, they helped her navigate her life in the moment and understand how she could shape it for the future. Advocating for choices and promoting abilities, they helped her establish a big goal – to live in her own home again. Together, they set some smaller goals that would help her work towards this.
They engaged Kacie with targeted therapies, so she could redevelop her mobility and increase her daily living skills. When she first joined us, Kacie used a wheelchair and needed support to transfer from it. She was also assessed for an adjustable bed for her room. Still a young woman, she was determined to perform transfers independently and have a regular bed.
With a blend of person-centred Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Kacie made remarkable progress. Our expert team worked with her therapy clinicians to develop functional approaches, extending her therapy into everyday activities. Kacie impressed everyone with her rapid progress. It wasn’t long before she was ticking off her smaller goals, moving ever closer to her big one.
Kacie can now do her own transfers and she no longer needs an adjustable bed. For Kacie, this progress is a positive step towards greater independence. But another meaningful, important step for her involved supporting a need that wasn’t visible.
I can now do the transfer to my shower chair by myself. It makes me feel good and gives me privacy and independence.
Kacie, a person we support at Linnet Mews
Navigating invisible barriers
Kacie used to spend lots of time with her family. She would often pick up her niece and nephew from school. After her injury, her needs meant she couldn’t do this anymore. Struggling to accept this, her emotional wellbeing was deeply affected. Becoming withdrawn, she spent lots of time alone in her room. Our team knew she was naturally sociable and loved being with others. So, they took the time to find out what might be affecting her.
Through their specialist training, they identified Kacie was experiencing sensory difficulties. She struggled to manage her emotions in busy, noisy environments, feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope. This was a new experience for her, and she battled with the feelings it created.
Kacie wanted to embrace going out again. It brought her a sense of normality and feelings of freedom, especially after spending such a long time in hospital.
Our team engaged her with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. This helped her identify her feelings when she experienced overwhelm and develop meaningful coping strategies. Using trauma-informed principles, our team used structure and consistency in Kacie’s daily support. This helped her establish a predictable routine and regulate her emotions. So, she could develop her coping skills in everyday situations and re-establish the independence she deserved!
Steps towards independence
The turning point of Kacie’s journey came when she made more progress with her mobility. Her emotional health suffered because of her physical needs. Using positive risk taking, our team worked with her Physiotherapist and Occupational Therapist to introduce a mobility aid. Kacie instantly got to grips with it. Empowered to mobilise around the home, this achievement meant she could cook her own meals and further develop her independent living skills. She’s now working towards her next goal – walking up the stairs.
Throughout her journey, Kacie’s experienced highs and lows but has never given up. Since using her aid, her mobility has improved and she can now do a whole hour on the treadmill! Working hard in the gym and doing functional mobility exercises in her daily support, she’s regaining strength and taking continuous steps towards her independence.
Since regaining more mobility, Kacie’s also established a personal care routine and can now dress herself again. She’s embraced old interests, rekindling her love of going out. With our sensitive approach, she’s safely attended a festival and has even been to a fireworks display.
Journeying down an unexpected path, our team have faithfully stayed by Kacie’s side, using a compassionate, informed approach to her support. Taking small steps together, they’ve made massive strides towards Kacie’s big goal of living independently in her own home. Now, they’re supporting her to look for her own supported living bungalow in the community. Here, she’ll be empowered to take the final steps on her rehabilitation pathway and rediscover the independence she deserves.
I’ve been working so hard in the gym. It’s made me feel really good. I feel like I’m getting back to normal.
Kacie, a person we support at Linnet Mews
Discover more!
Ready to hear more about our life-changing support at Linnet Mews? Head over to our dedicated webpage to learn about our purpose-built home, specialist approach and our dedicated team!