Family of mum paralysed in accident work to bring her home

Katie and Mark Tysome live in Walkern. In June 2022, Katie was found unconscious beneath a twisted metal gate at the yard where she kept her horse. She had suffered a traumatic brain injury.

Mark and Katie Tysome live in Walkern. (Image: Mark Tysome) Katie was airlifted to hospital, underwent emergency surgery, and spent a month in a coma.

Since then, she has spent nearly three years in hospitals and care homes, slowly rebuilding her ability to speak, eat, stand and walk short distances with a frame.

Katie spent a month in a coma. (Image: Mark Tysome) Katie's husband, Mark, said: "It has been a long journey of recovery, with many ups and downs.

"The last three years have been full of uncertainty and really hard for Katie, for me and our children.

"We were told that Katie may not get any better, and that she might need to spend the rest of her life in care, but Katie carried on fighting and continued her slow, steady recovery that is still going on today.

Katie still loves animals. (Image: Mark Tysome) "Slowly, over time, Katie has built up her strength and re-learned how to do things that previously she took for granted.

"After one year, Katie was able to talk a little, was starting to eat and drink under supervision, and could sit in a chair for an hour or two.

"After two years, Katie was starting to stand with support and take a couple of steps to move from bed to wheelchair.

"After three years, Katie is now able to walk short distances with a walking frame.

Before her accident, Katie worked in communications and PR. (Image: Mark Tysome) "Before her accident, Katie was very active, hard-working and sociable.

"She was self-employed, working in communications and PR.

"She liked nothing more than spending time with friends, family and animals. 

"I am glad to say that, following her accident, Katie is exactly the same. She is still as sociable as she ever was, loves being with people and animals, would love to work again one day, and is keen to go to any concert or festival that she can.

Katie loves music festivals and was able to go to Glastonbury last year. (Image: Mark Tysome) "The one thing that has kept Katie going is the thought that she will eventually be able to move back home to be with her family.

"The more Katie recovers, the closer we get to this being possible. However, to make this happen, we first need to make some changes to our house."

These changes include converting a downstairs room to an accessible bathroom, removing internal walls and widening door frames, and moving the location of the stairs and front door.

Mark estimates that making these necessary accessible home improvements is likely to cost in the region of £40,000. 

Katie would love to go home, but major works are needed to make their home accessible for her. (Image: Mark Tysome) He has set up a GoFundMe page to help raise the money needed. 

Mark said: "We would like to ask for your help to raise as much as we can to cover the building costs.

"Anything you can afford will mean a great deal, and will help us make the accessible home improvements needed for Katie to move home."

To donate, go to gofundme.com/f/help-katie-move-back-home-after-traumatic-brain-injury