The family of a young man who suffered a traumatic brain injury when a car he was a passenger in crashed with a lorry feared he would never see, walk or talk again.
Oliver Stevens was left with brain damage, several fractures to his skull, paralysis down his left side, broken ribs and collarbone, and damage to his vision and hearing, after a horrific crash in West Marton, near Skipton, North Yorkshire, on July 15, 2022.
Oliver, from Barnoldswick, was 21 when his friend’s car crashed with a 40-tonne articulated lorry at around 9.30pm at crossroads on the A59.
Paramedics battled for more than an hour at the scene and tried to save him, but his lungs had collapsed and he wasn’t breathing.
He was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary, where he spent four weeks in a coma while doctors saved his life.
He then spent months at the trauma centre and a further nine weeks at Rakehead Rehabilitation Centre at Burnley General Teaching Hospital, closer to his home.
Now, 15 months on from the horrific crash, Oliver, 23, is walking and talking, but is still recovering at home with support from his mum Vicky Mara, who has had to reduce her working hours at family-run estate agents Move In Sales and Lettings in Barnoldswick, to care for her son.
He’s also supported by his stepdad John, who works for Rolls Royce in the village, his brothers, and his dad Andy, who was also regularly in hospital.
Oliver, a former pupil at St John Fisher and Thomas More RC High School, in Colne, needs regular physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and psychological support.
The left side of his body, especially his face and arm, still suffers from paralysis.
To help with his rehabilitation, and to keep himself motivated, Oliver decided to take on a 180,000-step walking challenge, which is around 85 miles, over 30 days to raise money for the charity that was there for him and his family - Day One Trauma Support.
The charity provides a caseworker at the hospital to help people who have suffered catastrophic injuries, and provided Oliver’s mum Vicky with emotional and practical support both in Leeds and while they were in Burnley, and remain on hand throughout Oliver’s ongoing recovery.
Over the past month Oliver has been joined by his supportive family and friends to complete the walking challenge, even inspiring others to join Oliver’s Army and walk their own distance to support Day One.
This Saturday (October 21), Oliver is due to complete his challenge in Barnoldswick, where he will be joined by all his family and friends for one last walk.
Oliver said: “I'm still in full rehabilitation and this will continue for a long time.
"It's hard to motivate myself some days, but this challenge has helped give me the motivation I needed to be more active and help my recovery.
“The money my mum and stepdad needed to visit me in Leeds General Infirmary was £250 a week.
“That was just for petrol and parking, not including what I needed. I was in hospital for five months.
"This is why I'm raising money for Day One Trauma Support. They are a small charity and hopefully you will never need them, but they need us.
“Day One supported my family in our darkest days and continue to be there for us. They offer so many services such as counselling and legal information. I can't imagine not seeing my mum every day when I needed her the most.
“We were lucky to have such supportive family and friends, but unfortunately some people aren't as lucky as us and can't afford the travel expenses.
"Day One Trauma Support need more money to help all these families be with their loved ones.
“That’s why I wanted to give something back by walking 180,000 steps over 30 days – around 85 miles.
"This has been a huge challenge for me, alongside all my rehabilitation too, but it’s been amazing to get the support and donations for such a worthwhile charity.”
Oliver’s mum, Vicky, said: “Oliver has always been a fun, loving outgoing person with a big personality, lots of friends and an active life in sports and fitness.
“Before the accident he wouldn’t have thought twice about walking this distance, but it has been a massive challenge. He’s done amazing and to see how far he has come in 15 months is mind blowing.
“When you’re told your child has brain damage and might not walk or talk, you don’t know what the future will look like.
“When we got the dreaded knock on the door from a policeman who asked if I was Oliver Stevens’ mum, I just froze.
“He said Oliver had been involved in a serious road crash and the air ambulance was taking him to hospital. When you hear ‘air ambulance’ you know it’s serious.
“Day One Trauma Support were amazing. They helped with legal advice, which was so valuable. I wouldn’t have known where to go. I’ve since learned how important it is to get that legal support as early as possible as it is such a long process.
“We hope people don’t ever need Day One, but if they do it’s amazing they exist and should be there for more people.”
Kirsty Christmas, fundraising manager for Day One Trauma Support, said: “Oliver’s story of recovery is truly inspiring.
"It’s been fantastic to see him back out walking after such horrendous injuries and we’re delighted that he’s completed his challenge, while raising money for Day One.
“With his help, we can ensure no one is left to rebuild their life on their own following catastrophic injury. A big thank you to Vicky, Oliver and his army of supporters for choosing Day One.”
So far, he has raised more than £1,000. To support Oliver visit www.justgiving.com/page/vicky-mara-1695553794491
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