Dr Steve Jones’ Story

Steve shares his journey since his incident;

Hi, my name is Steve Jones and in 2018 I was involved in a life-threatening motorcycle accident. Thanks to the support and care East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) provided me at the roadside and in the air, together with the ongoing patient care I’ve received to this day, are some of the main reasons I am here today, living a new life to the full.  

Following my accident, I knew that I wanted to find a meaningful way to give something back to the charity that saved my life and leaving a gift in my Will seemed like the perfect way of doing this. Having seen first-hand the difference that EAAA has made to my life and my family’s, I want to help make sure they are there for others.

The accident

In June 2018, I was knocked off my motorbike in North Norfolk. The accident sent me through a wall, landing in a ditch containing water. Fortunately, I have no memory of it at all and in all honestly, I don’t want to remember it.

I was in a coma for five weeks and it wasn’t until I came out of it that I learnt that I had been in a bad accident and that EAAA had got to me within 20 minutes, treated me at the scene and airlifted me to Addenbrooke’s. Looking back on that, I think just how quickly I received treatment is probably one of the major reasons that I am still here today and recovering so well.

My road to recovery

My recovery has been very challenging with several obstacles to overcome in regard to my health. I have had to learn to walk again and deal with other physical injuries to my shoulder and leg. Due to having suffered a very serious brain injury, I have an ongoing challenge dealing with fatigue, which was crippling in the early days. It continues to be my nemesis; however, I have worked hard to develop a strategy to deal with it.

I’m also learning to cope with hyper noise sensitivity and anxiety which are symptoms of seizures which I experienced in the early days of my recovery, these were as a result of PTSD.

I cannot thank the Aftercare function of EAAA enough, they have provided me with ongoing support and are always there when me and my wife need them. This encouragement and knowing that someone really cared about me and my recovery has been a tremendous comfort and guide and I’m not sure where I would be without them. Not only offering support, they have also helped me piece together five weeks of my life that I had no memory off, which helped me get a sense of closure.

My life as it is today

I have a very powerful self-determination (which wasn’t as strong pre accident) which I have channelled positively. Since my accident I have learnt to walk again, received my PhD, can play tennis, swim, and drive again, achieved significant weight loss and now work full-time in a job I love. All of these new things which have been a result of this situation is something I am incredibly proud of.

Thank you

If you are thinking of giving to EAAA I want to echo once again the importance of this life-saving charity. Many people only see the at the scene side of this operation and although that first intervention is crucially important, it is the entire service working as one which helps to give people their lives back.

I encourage anyone, of any age, to consider leaving a gift to EAAA in their Will. Your donations are vitally important and will help save the lives of many people like me who owe their entire life to the care and support East Anglian Air Ambulance provides.

Photo credits: Tim Stephenson Photography