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Josh's Story, told by Hugh Dennis

At Easter in 2011, Josh was cycling when he swerved into the path of a car. He suffered terrible injuries. He was in a coma for months. His family thought he’d never recover.

At Easter in 2011, Josh squirted his step brother with a water pistol and jumped on his much-loved bike, waiting for Brandon to chase him.

But as he checked behind him, he swerved into the path of a car that was travelling at a regular speed.

The driver couldn’t avoid him and Josh suffered terrible injuries.

Brandon ran to get stepdad, John, who was mowing the front lawn.

As a policeman functioning on automatic pilot, John resuscitated Josh and got bystanders to call for an ambulance.

He was airlifted to Birmingham Children’s Hospital where he was in an induced coma and then a natural coma for 73 days.

His family thought he’d never recover but gradually they began to see small signs of improvement – documented daily by John in photos, film and in a diary to keep his own spirits up.

After intense rehab at the Children’s Trust in Tadworth, he now walks and talks again, can dress & feed himself and is back on his bike.

A grant of just over £100,000 funds a play and leisure activities co-ordinator who organises sports days, fun days, horse-riding, cooking & trips – vital after months in hospital.

Release date:

Duration:

4 minutes

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Hugh Dennis