Help to Get Olli Ingram Walking Again

Olli was on his way to visit his Aunt on the August 2022 bank holiday and was unfortunately involved in a non-fault road traffic incident, whilst riding his motorbike, a short journey that changed his life unimaginably.

Olli was rushed by ambulance straight to QMC in Nottingham for emergency surgery, having broken his back in two places as well as five ribs - his future was uncertain. Fortunately, after an extensive eight hours of surgery, the surgeons managed to stabilise him and insert various metal plates and pins into his back. Despite being relieved to have pulled through the initial accident, this was just the beginning of his ordeal. Once the initial pain of the surgery and accident wore off, it became apparent that Olli had no feeling in the lower part of his body.

The next month consisted of flat bed rest at QMC and during this time Olli began to slowly regain some minor feeling in his legs - a major milestone being him able to wiggle his big toe! The prognosis from the doctors was uncertain, they could not advise whether Olli is likely to regain full feeling within his legs or whether he has a chance of walking again - all they could say is that whilst it's possible, there are no guarantees, and intensive rehabilitation would provide the best possible chance of him getting back on his feet.

As Olli was getting used to life on the ward and finally enjoying more regular visits from family and friends, it became apparent that there was a leak around Olli's spinal cord which meant Olli had to yet again go in for major spinal surgery to rectify this. Luckily the operation was a success and the leak was remedied, however shortly afterwards Olli contracted meningitis as a result of the operation. This was a very serious condition that all of us would struggle with, but it was made even worse by Olli's current mobility. After a week of lying in bed in isolation accompanied by a cold compress, Olli began to recover, and it was at this point he was finally transmitted to Linden Lodge rehabilitation centre at Nottingham City Hospital.

This was a big step in Olli's recovery process, being finally able to sit up in bed and we also managed to wheel his bed outdoors so he could finally get a taste of the outside and some fresh air. Soon enough the rehabilitation had got him to the point where he was able to get out of bed using a hoist and into a wheelchair, although with such an injured body and having been laid in bed for over 2 months - even sitting in a wheelchair wasn't as easy as most of us would imagine.

On the 7th of December, Olli was moved again to a specialist unit at Princess Royal Spinal Cord Injuries Centre in Sheffield for intensive rehabilitation. Unfortunately the day after arrival, Olli picked up a sickness bug and spent most of his first week ill and again laid flat in bed all day. Upon recovery Olli threw himself into his rehabilitation treatment and worked extremely hard, learning to do many things that we all take for granted such as getting in/out his wheelchair himself, making a cup of tea and getting dressed. Despite how difficult this all was, Olli continued to stay headstrong and pushed harder and harder each day - surpassing all of the medical staff's expectations and proving how determined he is to recover and live his best life.

Olli was making great progress and just as life seemed to have given him a break, sadly one of Olli's best friends took his own life - knocking Olli for six. Not only did Olli have to comprehend losing his friend and not being able to be around to support him during his troubled times, he also had to face the funeral - making a very public appearance for the first time in his wheelchair in front of all his old school friends. The logistics of getting Olli back from Sheffield were all planned, suit arranged etc. however Olli fell ill in the days before the funeral and was suffering from intense back pain. Olli soldiered on and managed to attend the funeral to pay his respects, a day that was difficult for us all but particularly difficult for him in so many ways.

In January 2023 the nurses at the spinal unit advised Olli it was time to be discharged. Although they were supporting him fully with his recovery, we realised their end goal was to get Olli to a position where he could live with his wheelchair rather than back on his feet - as the bed on the ward was needed for other incoming patients. Despite initially not feeling ready, Olli left hospital and returned to live with his parents initially.

Now three months on, Olli is adapting to life with his wheelchair and has moved into his own place. He is enjoying getting out and about in his hometown again and has even been fortunate enough to enjoy a day trip to Tamworth to do specialist skiing and has finally been able to get back out on the greens to play golf using a hybrid buggy/wheelchair.

Although the NHS continues to support Olli with his recovery, this is mainly centred around living with his wheelchair rather than walking and getting back to the type of life which most of us all take for granted. Olli has recently started having specialist private rehabilitation sessions at the Matt Hampson Foundation in Leicester. The team there are excellent and Olli has been making great progress, despite it being extremely difficult and taking its toll on his body.

Over the past eight months Olli has continued to maintain a positive mental attitude and rather than wallow in self pity, he has continued to focus on his recovery, despite all the hurdles along the way. I genuinely don't know how he has been able to stay so strong and positive but what I do know is that we all couldn't be prouder of him.

The support and rehabilitation Olli is currently having will provide him with the best possible chance of recovery and living the fullest life, however as this is private this comes at a cost. With Olli currently unable to return to to his job and struggling to find new employment opportunities in his current condition, I'm raising funds mainly to try and support Olli with the cost of this treatment but also to provide him support with the costs of rehabilitation equipment and adapting his home.

Anything that anyone can contribute to support Olli's cause would be massively appreciated. I would also like to thank everyone who has supported Olli and contributed to his recovery so far - he really is fortunate to have such great people around him!

Thanks for reading