In early 2007, the UK’s Toby Forte (brother of Kye and Leo) took a fall which landed him in a coma for three days and caused major brain trauma. After months and months of recovery and therapy, Toby eventually pulled through, but the life-threatenting injury left a pretty indelible mark on Toby. And since the accident, Toby’s tried to raise awareness about helmets, organizing the Protect Yer Noggin Jam, giving talks at schools about brain injuries, and more recently, raising money for Headway, the charity that helped him pull through his injuries. Later this year, Toby and his girlfriend will embark on an endurance ride through North Vietnam to raise money for Headway, and here’s what Toby had to say about his injuries, the recovery and how delicate that piece of meat atop our shoulders actually is. Shabba…
CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE DETAILS OF YOUR HEAD INJURY AND RECOVERY?
I acquired a double hemorrhage to the frontal lobe area of my brain and I was comatose for three days and hospitalized for a while after for this. These life threatening injuries were received from an everyday deck manual gone wrong! This was during a brief warm-up and I had made the fatal mistake of not wearing my helmet… After I left hospital my rehabilitation started. My talking, walking and concentration were greatly impaired, so immediately I had to receive help to regain these everyday normalities. I was also designated a local occupational therapist whom I saw twice a week for an entire year, as well as a physiotherapist who helped me regain my balance and coordination. After six months, I was enrolled on an ‘Executive Skills’ course, which was a six week intensive course to rebuild my confidence in the everyday activities we take for granted. The impact caused my brain to swell, which in turn, damaged the inside of my eyes and ears, so regular check ups were needed to monitor the progress. This accident happened so quickly and unexpectedly and has changed my life forever. However, this would not have happened had I been wearing a helmet.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO GIVE BACK TO THE ORGANIZATION THAT HELPED YOU OUT?
I am doing my utmost to support the charity Headway and raise as much awareness for them as possible. Headway is a charity set up to give help and support to people affected by brain injury, whether this be the patient or their friends and family who also suffer the consequences of this complex injury. I am happy to tell my story as I feel I have been given a second chance and would love to help minimize these kinds of accidents in the future. I have been visiting schools and giving talks on the effects of brain injury and the details of how easily these accidents can occur. I have also been holding various fundraising events with all proceeds going direct to Headway. Myself and my girlfriend Jess are also taking part in a sponsored cycle trek through Northern Vietnam, again with all proceeds going directly to the charity.
WHY NORTH VIETNAM?
Firstly, throughout my recovery I was told that it would be very unlikely that I would ever ride a bicycle again, so to raise funds and awareness for the charity by taking part in an endurance cycling venture seems like the ultimate way of giving back. The terrain and culture shock will add to the challenge, plus the climate will also be a challenge in itself as it will be extremely hot and humid at that time of year.
WHAT DOES THE RIDE ENTAIL?
The venture will entail riding approximately 70-130 km each day throughout the mountainous regions of Northern Vietnam. It will require determination, commitment and stamina for us to reach our goal - but when we do it will be the most rewarding feeling, knowing I have not only made it to the end, but also given a great deal back to the charity that offered me so much in my time of need.
ANY WORDS OF ADVICE FOR EVERYONE OUT THERE?
WEAR A HELMET. I have been extremely lucky but I’m afraid many others may not be.
Photos by Ricky Adam
