JUST a few months ago Mark Dines was fighting for his life after a horrific road crash - but today he is back at his Ipswich home and battling his way back to fitness.
JUST a few months ago Mark Dines was fighting for his life after a horrific road crash - but today he is back at his Ipswich home and battling his way back to fitness.
The 40-year-old, of Whitton Church Lane, was in collision with a car when he stopped to help a motorist at the scene of another accident in Bacton Green in December.
After spending more than two months in hospital he was finally allowed home just over a week ago and is slowly adjusting to family life once more.
His partner Sharan Burn said: “We are just all so relieved to have him at home.
“The last few months have been very difficult and there's still a long way to go but it is great to have him out of hospital.”
Mr Dines was taken to Addenbrooke's hospital after the accident, where he remained in a coma for several weeks.
He was moved to Ipswich Hospital at the end of January.
Now that he is at home Mr Dines, who was a ground worker with North Midlands Construction, needs 24 hour supervision but it is hoped that he will start an intensive course of rehabilitation at the Icanho Centre in Stowmarket in May.
Ms Burn said: “There are many different areas where he needs help, so it will be quite intensive therapy.
“He can walk, but it's not walking like you or I would. It's still quite slouchy but he is improving all the time.
“His speech is getting much better too. He can't cook for himself yet but he will help us out in the kitchen.
“Most of the things he is doing at Icanho will be things like getting used to using money again, just things that will help him get back to some kind of normality.”
Ms Burn said she has had lots of support from Mr Dines' dad and brother and would also like to say a huge thank you to the team of occupational therapists at Ipswich Hospital.
She said: “The doctors still won't say what the chances of him making a full recovery are but we're hopeful that the rehabilitation sessions will be a big help.”
Have you overcome a serious injury after a road accident? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
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