BATTLING Army veteran Ade Stowell is fighting back after suffering life-changing head injuries while marshalling a Remembrance Sunday parade last year.
The former soldier, who spent 35 years serving his country, first in the Royal Signals and then with Redditch’s own 37th Signals Regiment, was hit by a car at the close of the poppy day parade in Studley on November 11, 2018.
He was rushed to the neuro-surgery unit at the Walsgrave Hospital in Coventry where his wife Chrissy was told the prognosis for Ade, who was in a coma, was not good.
One year later the former rugby player, aged 55, is still engaged in the fight of his life, but slowly making progress.
“He’s still got a long way to go but is determined to get some of his faculties back. He is a fabulous determined person who wants to go as far as he can,” said Chrissy.
Now in a rehabilitation centre in Leamington, the next 12 months will be crucial.
“He cannot talk, but communicates with his head, and is learning to use a machine which types and talks for him,” said Chrissy.
“But he has some movement in his legs and good core strength and can stand with some help, but he still needs 24 hours care.
“In the long run I’d love to bring him back home to our house but at the moment that wouldn’t be possible.
“But although he is improving he is still very badly damaged and has a long way to go.”
Because Ade is still making progress it’s not known what support he will need in the future.
“We don’t know what he needs going forward and what the NHS will provide and whether we can supplement that,” said Chrissy.
“We’ve been saving the money people have raised for him so we can give him that little bit extra.
“For instance the machine he uses to communicate, that costs £3,000 and we borrow the one he’s using, but if he gets on with it we’d like to buy one.
The couple live in Studley and have been supported by the local community, the Army family and friends and colleagues.
This Remembrance Sunday, November 10, a fundraising event for Ade and the Royal British Legion will be held at Studley Sports and Social Club from 1pm after the Remembrance Sunday parade.
