Helen Coombes

Helen was 23 when she suffered a serious stroke, a couple of days after graduating from University whilst out running. She lost the movement through her left side and suffered with significant fatigue and cognitive difficulties. Helen spent a month in hospital learning how to walk again but has spent many years since her stroke working on residual difficulties. 

Helen retrained as a physiotherapist after she was inspired by the therapy she received. She worked for the NHS in neurological rehabilitation and now works within Rehabilitation Case Management, coordinating rehabilitation for those involved in complex major Trauma. 

Helen knows she was very fortunate with the therapy she received in the years after her stroke but not everyone is quite so lucky. She has first-hand experience in navigating head injury rehabilitation through the NHS but also as a therapy provider in the NHS and personal injury sectors.  

Helen believes that a patient centered approach is essential for optimum patient engagement, and she is passionate about the Bridges self-management approaches in rehabilitation.