A father-of-three who forgot everything about his wife and their three children after getting attacked is determined to celebrate Christmas with his family.
40-year-old Ian Grimes nearly lost his life after a stranger punched him in the head while he was on the way to his home in Ellesmere Port, England.
Following the horrific attack that took place just before Christmas last year, the father had to be rushed to a hospital where doctors were forced to remove a part of his brain and place him in an induced coma.
After waking up, the father forgot who he was and everything else about his life including his marriage and his kids.
One year and a series of surgeries later, Grimes is determined to celebrate Christmas with his family despite suffering from amnesia, depression, anxiety, tinnitus, and headaches.
“It’s coming up to a year since I was the victim of violence and its truly terrible consequences. I’m lucky to even be able to reflect on what happened at all,” Ian expressed.
“Christmas may never be the same, as it will always have haunting memories attached to it. It’s a strange time now – on one hand it is a reminder of the terrible trauma I, and my family and friends, endured.
“But on the other, it’s a reminder I am a survivor. It’s a reminder there are so many wonderful people that rallied around to support me, my wife and children; not just those close to me, but complete strangers too.
“Christmas is about remembering the positives of the year that has passed, being with the people you love and appreciating all that you have – which for me is such a lot.”
Following the brutal attack that took place during the festive season last year, Ian had to relearn how to read and talk and start from scratch in several areas of his personal life.
“Ian is really strong, each week his head gets less foggy. He’s positive and determined about that future and especially determined to play with our kids as much as he used to,” Ian’s wife, dental nurse Bethan, added.
“We didn’t think he would be this far along with his recovery. Christmas feels like a strange time now but we are mostly positive.”
Due to Ian’s condition after the attack, the family received support from The Brain Charity whereas Bethan became her husband’s full-time carer.
“The Brain Charity is a wonderful charity made up of a compassionate and dedicated team who have helped my family and me through this terrible trauma,” Bethan added.
“They help so many people in their darkest times, so I hope that we can all help them as they struggle through the pandemic.”
Back in November, 28-year-old Sean Jenkinson, the father’s attacker, received a 2-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to the brutal attack and causing grievous bodily harm without intent.
Replaced!