Dad-Of-Two Instructs Serious Injury Lawyers To Help Him Access Rehabilitation

A Sheffield cyclist who suffered a brain injury when he was knocked off his bike has revealed how he has achieved his ‘lifelong dream’ of moving into his dad’s farmhouse.

Stephen Bradbury, now living in Hoyland, was out on a ride with friends when he was hit by a van.  He was taken to hospital where he was found to have sustained brain damage, several fractures and damage to his teeth.

The dad-of-two remained in hospital for 16 days.

Following the incident, which happened on Burncross Road in Ecclesfield, Sheffield, in June 2020, Stephen, 52, instructed expert serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help him access the specialist rehabilitation and therapies he requires due to his injuries.

Stephen is now using Action for Brain Injury Week to speak for the first time about how he’s determined to overcome his injuries and raise awareness of the support available.  This comes after he and his family moved into his dad’s former farmhouse, which had been a ‘lifelong dream’ of his.  His legal team helped support the move after securing an interim payment of funds.

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At the time of the incident, Stephen and Donna lived in Ecclesfield with their two children, Grace, 14 and William, 10. Stephen had been out cycling with two friends and was on his way home when he was hit by a van and knocked off his bike on 23 June, 2020.

He suffered fractures to his left arm, right wrist and right ankle.  He also sustained a nasal fracture, cuts and bruises, and broken teeth.

As part of his recovery, Stephen has undergone nasal surgery and dental treatment.  He sees a physiotherapist and neuro-psychologist, and he was also under the care of STEPS Rehabilitation in Sheffield from January to April 2021.

He continues to experience constant pain in his left arm and right wrist, and is bothered by flare-ups of pain in his back and ankle.

Stephen also suffers with memory loss, fatigue and issues with his concentration and speech.  His sleeping pattern remains affected and he lacks motivation since being unable to return to work properly at his family’s haulage company.

Early this year, the family moved into a farmhouse in Barnsley which belonged to Stephen’s father.  They plan to have it renovated.

He said: “Since my injuries, my life has changed dramatically.  I have difficulty carrying out simple day to day tasks and this leaves me feeling angry and frustrated as I’ve become a lot more reliant on Donna.

“While my memory is bad since the crash, I can recall everything before that and it makes me very upset to remember how good my old life was and how it’s not the same anymore.

“After what happened, I wasn’t able to drive for about a year and have also had my HGV licence revoked until next June.  I’ve been able to do some of the administrative side of things at work, but I hate not being able to drive the lorries as that’s what I loved doing.

“I can’t change what I’ve been through but I’m determined not to let it ruin my life.  I have such great support from family and friends, and I know that will get me through.

“Moving into my dad’s old farmhouse has always been a lifelong dream of mine and there was no way I was going to let my injuries stop that from becoming reality.  However, I won’t be able to do the renovations myself which had been the plan previously.

“I just hope that by speaking out, others will see that there is life after a brain injury; you’re not alone and help is available.”

The driver of the van that hit Stephen was charged with driving with a proportion of a specified drug above the specified limit and for driving without due care and attention. He was ordered to undertake 250 hours unpaid work, to pay a surcharge of £128 and costs of £85, was disqualified from driving for 24 months and received a 16-week suspended sentence.

Action for Brain Injury Week runs from 16-22 May and is supported by the charity Headway. This year’s campaign is entitled The Hidden Me, and aims to raise awareness of often misunderstood symptoms of brain injury.

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