Before her neurological condition, Lizzie led an active and fulfilling life, marked by professional achievements and personal passions. After graduating from university, she embarked on a successful career in Marketing, starting in 1990. By 2010, she transitioned to HR, Training, and Development, joining Twinings in 1997 and working both in the UK and abroad. In 2019, Lizzie moved to ABF, where she collaborated with Senior Leadership teams worldwide. After 25 years with ABF, she retired in January 2022 at the age of 55 to focus on consulting and enjoying her well-earned pension.
Lizzie’s personal life was equally vibrant. An avid cyclist, she cycled at least twice a week, often with her husband. Skiing was another beloved activity, and she cherished family ski trips to their apartment in Tignes, France. Married in May 1997, Lizzie and her husband have two children, Hattie and Will, now 21 and 23, who are both pursuing their studies. The family enjoyed gardening, and every summer, they sailed in picturesque locations like Greece and Turkey.
However, Lizzie’s life took a turn on May 21, 2023. An accident at home resulted in severe injuries, including multiple broken ribs, a broken right arm, and a serious head injury that necessitated emergency brain surgery. She spent 11 weeks in the hospital, including time in the ICU and the Snowdon Neuro Rehabilitation Ward. Initially, Lizzie’s prognosis was uncertain, but with the support of her family, she began her recovery journey.
Upon returning home, Lizzie faced numerous challenges. She struggled with speech and communication, finding it difficult to name everyday objects and remember familiar names. Basic tasks like cooking became frustrating due to her inability to recall the names of ingredients. Communicating with healthcare providers was also a challenge and Lizzie relied on her husband, Paul, for assistance.
In September 2023, Lizzie began her rehabilitation at Hobbs Rehabilitation, focusing on Speech and Language Therapy. Initially, she worked on finding the right words and improving her speech, with one of our team of speech and language therapists who provided home visits and online support. In January 2024, Lizzie began driving independently to the Winchester clinic and started working with Jess, another speech and language therapist at Hobbs, and together they focused on enhancing Lizzie’s reading and writing skills while continuing to improve her speech.
Lizzie also received support from Philippa, a Clinical Neuropsychologist at Hobbs, to address the emotional and psychological impacts of her accident. Philippa’s guidance helped Lizzie manage her anxiety and start to feel like herself again.
Lizzie’s dedication to her rehabilitation has yielded significant progress. From struggling to read simple children’s books, she now reads books aimed at 9-10-year-olds independently and regularly reads and summarizes BBC news articles. Her improved communication skills have boosted her confidence, enabling her to engage in long conversations and discuss current affairs.
Beyond her cognitive improvements, Lizzie’s physical recovery has also been remarkable. She has returned to skiing and cycling (on a static bike in her garage), and her double vision has resolved. Lizzie can drive, garden, and even paint windows again.
Reflecting on her journey, Lizzie acknowledges the dual emotions of sadness for not being completely “fixed” and pride in the progress she has made. The rehabilitation at Hobbs has played a crucial role in her recovery, providing a calming and supportive environment that has significantly boosted her confidence. Lizzie remains determined to continue her hard work and further improve her abilities.