Local nursing home resident 42 beats odds on road to recovery
Forty-two year-old Chris Norris has defied the odds to recover from a serious brain injury with the help of the staff at Knightsbridge Nursing Home in Trim.
Chris, who will be unveiled as Nursing Homes Ireland Resident Achievement Award Winner 2014 on 6th November, fell down his stairs two years ago and lay undiscovered for three days.
Concerned for his welfare, his sister peered through his letterbox and saw Chris lying at the foot of the stairs.
He immediately underwent life-saving brain surgery at Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown and was subsequently placed in an induced coma for 12 days.
His family were told to brace themselves for bad news as he emerged from the coma, and complications developed soon after.
They were called to say goodbye on several occasions but, despite the odds stacked against him, Chris’s condition has since stabilised.
He is now recovering from an acquired brain injury that left him with severe paralysis and speech impairment, and is making strong progress.
A meat boner by trade, he underwent a 20-week phase of recovery at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire before being transferred back to Connolly Hospital as it was believed that his condition could not be improved.
In June 2012, Chris moved to Knightsbridge Village in Trim for a further period of rehabilitation.
According to Gillian McDonald of Knightsbridge, Chris arrived at the nursing home strapped into a wheelchair, unable to walk and with severe cognitive dysfunction.
'It's really difficult to comprehend how he coped with such trauma but the Chris who arrived showed tremendous energy, drive, determination and resolve,' she said.
The 'young physically disabled' unit became the hub of Chris's life, which Ms McDonald described as the venue for his 'fight against the odds'.
Supporting Chris were his family, Knightsbridge staff, Fit for Life and the Meath Sensory and Disability Team. An intensive care plan was implemented and his parents, Anne and Chris Senior, who live in Dunboyne, remained on-hand to support him seven days a week.
While at Knightsbridge, physical and mental exercises were undertaken daily. Today, Chris has regained controlled movement of his legs and he can now communicate and hold conversation. He also swims on a weekly basis.
According to his father, the care Chris received at Knightsbridge brought about a phenomenal recovery. 'They encouraged and supported us to bring Chris swimming and it’s astounding to follow his progress in the pool,' he said.
He added: 'We went to Lourdes especially for him and I promised Our Lady some day I will bring Chris back here and it will happen next year.'
According to Gillian McDonald, Chris’s life is now as full as it was prior to the accident. 'Yes, it is very different, but the common denominator is his happiness,' she said. 'Chris and his family spend enhanced quality time together and this looked beyond reach three years ago.' Chris's journey is likely to continue beyond Knightsbridge Village, when he moves to independent living.
In the meantime, he is 'forever grateful' to his parents and the staff of Knightsbridge 'for their help, co-operation, consideration and support'.