Soldier Shot In Head In Afghanistan Continues Fight To Overcome Life-Threatening Injuries

A soldier who a suffered serious brain injury when he was shot in the head while serving in Afghanistan, is continuing to get his life back on track as he gets the keys to a flat so that he can begin living more independently.

John Dawson underwent surgery to reconstruct the right side of his head and had to learn to walk again after he suffered the life-threatening injury while on patrol in Helmand Province.

John works closely with and is supported by Irwin Mitchell’s Court of Protection team in order to maximise his rehabilitation and to become even more independent.

As part of his continuing rehabilitation, the 29-year-old has just moved into his own flat and is looking forward to regaining more of his independence.

Speaking as part of Action for Brain Injury Week, John, of Nuneaton, said: “I was in a coma for a few weeks and then taken for rehabilitation at a military unit in Surrey where I spent the next two years, 18 months of which I couldn’t even walk."

The Grenadier Guardsman was then transferred to Marner House in Nuneaton which is run by Voyage Care.

At the start of his rehabilitation John was unable to walk and had to use a wheelchair to get around. He can now walk unaided but still cannot use his left arm and has problems down the left side of his body.

The father-of-two marked his amazing recovery by climbing Mount Snowdon in Wales last year to raise money for The Colonel’s Fund Grenadier Guards, which helped in his recovery.

As part of the ongoing support from Irwin Mitchell’s Court of Protection team, John has now moved into the flat which was offered through the Lord Leycester Hospital, which provides accommodation for injured service personnel.

He added: “People have been so kind to me.

“I’m over the moon to have moved into my new flat. I feel like I’ve crossed another major hurdle in my recovery. I feel this is a new me."

John has joined the gym and is also hoping to take up golf lessons. John has also started to plan his next climb.

Expert Opinion

John’s recovery and continued rehabilitation has been amazing. His positive outlook and determination really are inspiring.

“Our work in the Court of Protection is about ensuring that people with brain injuries can live as independently as possible whether that is in adapted accommodation or ensuring they have the correct support from care workers and therapists.

“We are pleased that John is settling in well to his new flat and we look forward to continuing to support John in future.” Joanna Grewer - Partner

Action for Brain Injury Week 2018 is organised by Headway and runs between May 14 and 20. A strand of this year’s campaign focuses on how people adapt to their brain injury as they regain more confidence and independence.