Patient shares gratitude for physiotherapy team’s support in recovery journey

A photo of Nick Eagleton in a wheelchair after a leg operation, alongside a photo of him with his daughterter, Alexia at the top of mountain, Artur's seat

Pictured: Nick Eagleton alongside daughter, Alexia

A patient who suffered a serious accident has expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the physiotherapy team at his local hospital.

Nick Eagleton, from Gomersal, was on a family walk at Bolton Abbey last October when he fell, dislocating his knee, tearing his quad muscle, and rupturing his upper quad tendons.

After an initial assessment at Dewsbury and District Hospital, he underwent surgery to repair his quadriceps mechanism with surgeon Mr Bagouri, who he described as “a great surgeon”.

Following this Nick began his physiotherapy programme at the Jo Cox Therapy and Rehabilitation Centre at the same hospital with Physiotherapist, Liam Hinds, and Technical Instructor, Sophie Palmer. Over the course of a year, he benefited from 19 sessions focused on rebuilding strength and mobility in his leg. Nick credits Liam and Sophie not only for their expertise but for the encouragement that helped him to progress consistently. The tailored exercise plans and the team's clear guidance gave Nick the confidence and encouragement to practice his exercises independently at home.

Nick’s family played a significant role in his journey as well. "My wife Carly, my son Lucas, and my daughter Alexia have been my rock, offering unwavering support through every step of the process. I couldn't have come this far without them," Nick shared. He also praised his manager, Steve Graves, for being incredibly supportive throughout his recovery.

Reflecting on the support he received, Nick said: “I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt thanks to both Liam and Sophie for the incredible care and support they’ve given me over the past year. Their expertise, encouragement, and dedication have truly made all the difference in my recovery journey, and I am so grateful to have had them by my side. Through each session, they not only helped me regain strength and mobility but also instilled a sense of confidence that I could reach my goals. Their positive attitude and genuine commitment to my progress has been so motivating, even on the tougher days. I feel stronger and healthier because of their support, and I couldn’t have asked for a better team to guide me through this process.”

Nick’s journey reached a symbolic milestone last month when he successfully climbed the 823-foot ascent to Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh, a challenge he took on with his family by his side.

“Climbing Arthur's Seat was the ultimate challenge for me, marking how far I've come after a traumatic experience and nearly a year of physiotherapy with Liam and Sophie. They’ve helped me rebuild the strength in my quad muscles, allowing me to walk and climb like I did before the accident. Arthur's Seat, an ancient extinct volcano, is the main peak of the hills in Edinburgh's Holyrood Park. Robert Louis Stevenson once described it as ‘a hill for magnitude, a mountain in virtue of its bold design.’

“Reaching 823 feet above sea level felt like a true testament to the hard work and dedication put into my recovery. I couldn't have achieved this without the incredible physio team at Dewsbury Hospital, my supportive colleagues, and, of course, my family.”

In response to Nick's praise, Liam said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Nick for his kind words. It’s rewarding to know our efforts have had such a positive impact on his recovery. Nick’s dedication to his physiotherapy, both during sessions and at home, played a huge part in his progress, and we’re thrilled to see him achieve such incredible milestones like climbing Arthur’s Seat. It’s moments like these that remind us why we do what we do.”

Maureen Drake, Director of Allied Health Professionals at Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust, added: “I’m incredibly proud of Liam and Sophie for the exceptional care they’ve provided to Nick throughout his recovery. We are committed to helping patients regain their strength and confidence, and it’s rewarding to see the difference rehabilitation can make in people’s lives. This is a wonderful example of the compassionate, patient-centred care we strive for every day.”

Nick’s remarkable recovery is a testament to the dedication of the Trust’s physiotherapy team and the difference physiotherapists make to people’s lives.
He is proud to share his story as a powerful example of the positive impact the NHS has had on his journey to recovery.