On the road to recovery

Whether you are involved in an accident while working in the garden or find yourself involved in a freak car accident like 28-year-old Andrew Marsh, the importance of rehabilitation can’t be understated.

On January 30, Andrew and his partner Anna were driving along a 110km/hr stretch of road in Margaret River when a large tree branch crashed through their windscreen.

Completely shocked by the split-second occurrence, Andrew swerved and lost control of the car, crashing into a nearby tree.

Knocked unconscious upon impact, Andrew and Anna were both flown to Royal Perth Hospital for urgent treatment.

As the passenger, Anna sustained back injuries, while the outlook for Andrew was a little more severe; he spent over three months in hospital with amnesia and is still recovering from orthopaedic complications.

After receiving the okay to leave the hospital, Andrew enlisted the support of local therapy provider, Therapy Focus, to work alongside medical professionals and help him return to life as normal before the accident.

“I was a bit nervous leaving hospital as I knew my recovery still had a long way to go, but I was excited to be back with my family and friends in Margaret River who have given me so much support,” Andrew said.

Needing a range of health services including occupational therapy, speech pathology and psychology, Andrew worked closely with Therapy Focus’ South West Team in his home and at the clinic in Margaret River.

Therapy Focus is a leading provider of professional therapy services, delivering support to more than 3000 people living with disability and those seriously injured throughout Western Australia.

Last year the organisation expanded service delivery to people living in the South West, providing support to Margaret River, Busselton, Dunsborough, Augusta, Nannup and surrounds.

Therapy Focus Occupational Therapist John Lees said the team worked with Andrew to help him return to life as normal, including getting him back to work as a butcher and pursuing his favourite hobby of fishing with family and friends in the South West.

“Initially Andrew received intensive rehabilitation at home and in our Margaret River clinic with the aim of developing skills that would help him return to work,” he said.

“Andrew progressed exceptionally well and is now undertaking supervised work placements at Leeuwin Grass Fed Beef, Augusta Butchering Co and Maggie’s Fish Shack at Margaret River Farmers Markets where he was working before the accident.”

For more information on how Therapy Focus may be able to help you after an accident or injury, visit the website www.therapyfocus.org.au or contact the Statewide services team on 1300 135 373.