'I was unable to walk, talk, or recognise myself after coma'
A man who awoke from a three-month coma with no memory of who he was, says helping others in the same position has given him "purpose". Jamil Hussain, 35, from Lockleaze in Bristol, suffered multiple seizures behind the wheel whilst driving down the M69 during the first Covid-19 lockdown in 2020. He was soon diagnosed with limbic encephalitis - a rare neurological condition that causes inflammation in the brain, leading to epilepsy and severe memory loss.Mr Hussain now acts as a mentor at Henbury's Cygnet Brunel health centre, where he spent 18 months relearning how to walk, talk, and live independently again.
"When I woke up, I didn't know who I was or how to do anything," he said. "I couldn't walk, talk or even recognise most people - only my mum. I remember seeing her and knowing who she was but not being able to speak. It was terrifying."He said it was the "scariest" moment of his life and it was his mother who helped him through, despite medics originally telling his family his chance of recovery was "slim".The sight of her familiar face triggered a faint memory of "comfort and safety", which he says "brought him back to reality". He believes that moment forever changed the trajectory of his life."Whenever I feel angry or impulsive, I just remember that moment and think 'that's how close you were to not being able to know anything about yourself, ever again'."I could have been in the hospital for the rest of my life, waiting for my brain to put the pieces back together. I was so lucky, and that keeps me level-headed," he added.
In his role as an Expert by Experience, Mr Hussain draws upon his own ordeal to comfort patients and "help them see a way through" their diagnoses."I want to be that beacon of light for others who are in still in the thick of their difficult times, helping them see a way through," he said.His work also involves coaching staff and helping patients feel reassured by someone who's walked in their shoes."I want to show people there is light at the end of the tunnel. Life can be even better than it was before. It gives me purpose," he added.
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