Hi Guys,
I wanted to share an update about our friend Gibbo, who's had a bit of a tough time recently. About 5 weeks ago, Gibbo was in a serious car accident that resulted in a broken neck and spine. He was taken to Kings Hospital from the scene and placed into an induced coma for a week. The doctors' initial thoughts were that he would be paralyzed from the neck down.
After two neck surgeries — to add plates to the front and back of his neck and spine — Gibbo was woken from his coma. Thankfully, he has some upper body movement and it's now thought he will be paralyzed from the waist down instead. It's been a tough few weeks. There was even talk of making him comfortable until he passed if he couldn't breathe on his own. Thankfully, Gibbo proved strong enough to breathe on his own, even if only for short periods at a time.
He's still in ICU and has a long road ahead — I don't think he's quite out of the woods yet, but he's definitely getting there. Gibbo has already been through so much, including being resuscitated twice: once on the way to Kings, and then again about two weeks later following cardiac arrest. Luckily, he has a fantastic network of family and friends supporting him through this. He was moved down to Margate Hospital last week — still in ICU, but much closer to home. I've visited him twice since he's been in Margate, and both times he's been his usual upbeat, cheeky self. Yesterday, we had a good couple of hours just chatting and having a laugh, which really lifted both our spirits.
Gibbo has everything he needs at the moment, I've been chatting to the council and I think it would be really nice to organise a collection from us to get him something special down the line — we all know Gibbo won't appreciate flowers.
Let's send some good vibes Gibbo's way and I'll keep you all posted and best I can — he's a fighter and we're all behind him.
Jewelz
He has not been far from my thoughts since I heard what had happened. I am pleased he is fighter and doing the best he can under the circumstances. Sending love Gibbo.
Thinking of him and the family such a terrible thing to happen. But glad to see he is fighting hard. All the love mate
Thanks for the update jewelz. Let's hope he continues to head in the right direction. Nothing but love for the guy.
When the time is right we'll do something to show him some dMw love, keep us posted.
Sending love to Gibbo and his family. Wishing him all the best in his recovery.
Others have said it all, just sending my love and hopes for the best recovery possible. x
Oh crap.
Just seeing this for the first time and that's awful.
So, so sorry to hear this and please send on my best wishes to him. He's a fantastic guy and really doesn't deserve this crap-fest. :-(
Please keep us in the loop and I hope for the best possible of outcomes for him.
Really shocked to see this news and hope that his recovery continues to the best possible extent. My thoughts and prayers go to him and his family.
Please keep us posted with updates and any plans.
Hi guys,
It's been just over five weeks since I shared the first update about Gibbo's accident, and I'm really happy to say he's been making steady improvements every single week.
I've been visiting him regularly — every week since that first post — and it's been incredible to see the changes. He no longer needs the feeding tube through his nose and is now eating and drinking well on his own. He's also no longer 100% reliant on his ventilator, which is a huge step forward.
He's been making small but meaningful gains in movement too. Last week, he managed to pinch his thumb and finger together — something that might sound small, but in reality, pretty massive. Even more encouraging, he's been getting spasms in his legs and often complains of a "numb bum" which, whilst funny, and we laugh about it, is actually a very good sign. His neurologist, who has 19 years of experience, told his mum that he might walk again one day — something we never thought we'd hear, especially after what the neurosurgeon in Kings initially said.
Every time I've seen Gibbo, he's been so positive and full of that cheeky energy we all know and love. Yesterday he told me his trachy can come out in about 3 weeks and he's hoping that means he'll finally be out of his special room in ICU and be able to see his daughter.
It honestly feels like he's nearly out of the woods now and he can start focusing on building back his strength and movement. There's still a long road ahead, but the direction is finally starting to feel hopeful.
Thank you all for the love, messages, and good vibes you've sent Gibbo's way — they're working. I'll keep you posted with more updates as he continues to defy the odds.
Cheers guys, J
awesome news, please do send him our best wishes!
Wonderful to read. Tell him I look forward to seeing him at a LAN down the road.
Thanks for the updates mate.
So good to read that Jewelz omg, all the best to Gibbo and fam man!
This is a such a positive update, I am so please to read its going in the right direction but it will be a long road.
Yes, sounds really positive. Fingers and heart crossed.
Outstanding news, wish him all the very best.
Hi guys,
It's been a little while since my last post, so I wanted to share another update on Gibbo's progress.
The big news is that he's now officially out of ICU, a huge milestone after everything he's been through. He's eating proper food again, drinking what he likes (within reason!), he's had his trachy removed, which means he's finally speaking unaided again. Hearing his voice properly for the first time in a while has been amazing.
Gibbo has now moved to Canterbury Hospital, which is about 15 miles from home. They've got a more specialised physio team there, which is the next important step in his recovery. Now that he's "out of the woods" in terms of survival, he's had a full assessment from the physios, and the results are tough to hear, but at least we now have clarity.
He's been diagnosed with a complete C5 spinal injury. That means he has full control of his head, neck, and shoulders, He has biceps, but no triceps which means limited arm movement. He has slight wrist movement but no use of his fingers, everything from the chest down is paralysed.
Right now, he's waiting in Canterbury for a place to open up at Stoke Mandeville, where the spinal injury specialists are. That's where the real long-term rehab journey will begin.
Despite all this, Gibbo continues to show incredible spirit. When I visited on Monday, he was out of the hospital gown and in actual clothes, it felt like a small but powerful bit of normality returning. He was also in a reclined chair and is gradually building up to sitting more upright, though there are still issues with his blood pressure when he sits up for too long. It's slow going, but it's steady progress.
Somehow, through everything, Gibbo remains his usual cheeky self, full of banter, winding up the nurses and doctors, and keeping spirits high. Genuinely inspiring to see.
So glad he is out of ICU and wonderful he is in good spirits hope there is a space ready for him soon.
Thanks for the update Jewelz. Great to here the positives despite the long journey ahead. For Gibbo to be so strong for his family and friends is truely inspirational, nothing but my admiration.
Thanks for the update Jewelz what a journey, constantly in my thoughts man (Katie as well)
Great news, thanks for sharing.
We are going to arrange a Community Collection of sorts soon to chip in for the lad, hopefully put a smile on his face.
Will post up in the next few days with details