In 1988, Hugh went on holiday to Tunisia. A normal trip. A chance to switch off and take a break from work. One moment on that trip changed his life.
A simple dive into a swimming pool which he thought would be harmless. However, he hit the bottom headfirst. Alone, with no one around…
By luck a stranger that was passing by pulled him out from the water and saved his life!
Just imagine for a second. You go on holiday, have a bit of fun, dive into a pool, something we have all done, and suddenly you’re face down in the water. You are away from home, in a different country, needing urgent support.
That moment left Hugh paralysed at C5.
What followed was a year in hospital, adjusting to a completely different life.
The things he loved, football, live music, being outdoors, suddenly felt out of reach. His independence was gone and isolation crept in.
But through determination and a change in mindset, things started to look brighter. Hugh picked himself back up and began the rest of his life with a spinal cord injury, adjusting. Working with care companies to get back on his feet until he found the right one.
People often assume all care companies are the same, but that is far from the truth. The right support, the right team, and properly trained staff make all the difference. For Hugh, his team lives with him for two weeks at a time. That level of care is built on trust, friendship, and as he says, “family.”
With Komplex Care, his support is built around him, not just his clinical needs, but who he is as a person. His interests. His personality. What makes, as he describes, “life worth living.”
“It’s not just about care. It’s about building friendships. My carers become family. We share experiences and interests, and that changes everything.”
Now, Hugh is back doing what he loves. Football matches. Concerts. Getting out into the community.
And on the harder days, that support matters even more.
“Life can be tough, but I’m still here. You can stay in bed and let it beat you, or you get up and make the most of what you’ve got. My carers are right there with me.”
This is what good care looks like. Not just support, but connection. Not just safety, but independence. Not just care, but a life rebuilt.
Stories like this need to be heard. Not just to show that support is there, but to remind people they are not alone. Moments like this are deeply traumatic and can feel incredibly isolating. Having a team around you that truly understands you is not optional, it is essential and we want to support as many people like Hugh as possible.