About the RHN

The RHN relies heavily on voluntary donations, such as those raised through events such as Row Hard, and we must raise over £2million each year in order to continue to provide the very best in care for over 250 residents and patients.

It often surprises people to find out that brain injury is the leading cause of death and disability among young adults, meaning that we care for as many patients under the age of 35 as we do over that age. Our patients often come to us following a traumatic head injury, such as an accident, stroke or attack – just a moment in time to change their life forever. Most of those we care for previously led perfectly normal and active lives prior to their trauma, yet now require 24 hour care.

Read more about what we do on our website: rhn.org.uk

If you have a few spare moments please search for us on YouTube to watch some short clips on patients who have since left the RHN – you will see Marini’s story and Adam’s video, both of which will show you just how life-changing a brain trauma can be.

Danny's story

Recently discharged RHN patient Danny McMorrow remembers little of the events that first brought him to the Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability (RHN) but he will never forget the care he received there.

Suddenly deprived of oxygen to his brain when struck down by meningitis, Danny, an IT professional, was rushed to Princes Royal Hospital in London and spent the following three months in and out of consciousness, unable to move or talk. As he was unable to speak, Danny used an alphabet board to communicate with his partner, Mike by pointing to letters to form words.

When he was referred to the RHN for a lengthy process of rehabilitation, his first impression of the hospital as he was wheeled through the amazing gardens and immense halls on a stretcher was of a very wonderful, calming environment. It was here that he stood for the first time, nine months after the meningitis attack so the RHN will always hold a very special place in his heart.

Nearly a year at the RHN has meant that Danny has experienced a wide range of treatments, including vital physiotherapy, which initially utilised a simple but effective device which tilts to help you stand up.

“The physiotherapy sessions were a lot of fun and I received so much support from the relaxed and caring staff,” explained Danny. “I would sit on a special device on the side of the bed and the staff would pump it so that I was in a standing position holding onto bars. It took a little getting used to; the first time we used it, my feet were in a lot of pain but after the third time, it was fabulous.”

Months later, Danny was able to stand for the first time, but says he could never have managed that without the specialist equipment and the help of the staff. “The first time I stood – it was amazing! My aim since arriving had always been to walk again and I know now that I’m on the right track.”

Danny had to learn just about everything from scratch which involved working with many different departments within the RHN. The speech & language team helped him regain the use of his voice and the occupational therapy departments encouraged him as he relearnt how to do simple but functional tasks, such as dressing himself and buttering bread and sandwiches.

While all of this was going on, Danny’s partner Mike was busy raising funds for the hospital – together with a fantastic group of friends. The team drove from Land’s End to John O’Groats on 50cc mopeds, raising over £7,000!

For the last phase of Danny’s in-patient rehabilitation he moved to on-site ‘Haberdashers House’, where the purpose built unit supports people to re-learn and develop the skills they will need to re-adjust to life outside the hospital, in a real life setting. Danny's positive attitude has accompanied him throughout his recovery, and he knows that optimism has been a great help in his journey. ‘However, positive mental attitude alone is not enough and I could never have done this without the support of the fantastically patient staff at the RHN.”

“I want to go back to work. And I want to walk. Every day there is something new. These things take time. Everything is a step forward.”

Now that he has been discharged, Danny will continue with physiotherapy for 12 weeks and he is determined to walk again. His integrated rehabilitation at the RHN has prepared him for independent living, and he has now returned to a specially adapted home where he celebrated Christmas with Mike, who is now (the icing on the cake) his fiancé.