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5 minutes ago, Coombsy said:

The family was very nice and it was a pleasure to be able to help with the build 

just a shame they still have not got enough people to look after him at home as reported in the paper 

Not sure if you have seen this @Coombsy?

Well done on helping out with something so amazing

A Hartcliffe man who has spent years in a hospital room 50 miles from his family will finally be able to come home.

Ryan Pollard has been forced to stay in a rehab centre in Gloucester for the last five years following a brain condition which left him severley disabled.

But an incredible effort by the DIY SOS team saw more than 200 businesses and tradespeople refit the family’s home, meaning Ryan can now come home.

The makeover was showcased on BBC One on Thursday night, with the emotional family close to tears after seeing the refurbishment.

Ryan watched the show in the rehab centre, flanked by his parents Dave and Rachael, while the rest of his family watched from home.

 

A date has now been set next month to bring 24-year-old Ryan back to Bristol permanently.

The family had been looking for personal assistants to help with Ryan’s care, and the team of five will start their training next Monday.

The plan is for Ryan to begin a staggered return home, before he is allowed to move back permanently from July 31.

It’s a day the family thought they’d never see, ending a long five-year wait.

Came to a halt

The Pollard family’s lives came to a halt five years ago when Ryan was taken ill.

Suffering from severe headaches, he was rushed in for an emergency operation after doctors discovered he had a block ventricle in his brain.

He collapsed four months later, and went into a six-week coma.

A CT revealed the build up of fluid and pressure had caused him brain damage, and he had lost control of his breathing and swallowing.

It also left him partially paralysed, and he was transferred to the nearest specialist neurologist unit – in Gloucester, 50 miles away.

Five years later, he is still living there for his care.

His loving mum makes the 100-mile round trip on public transport every day to see him, while his dad Dave does so on weekends.

It has taken a hard toll on the family, which also includes Ryan’s two brothers Jason and Darren and sister Gemma.

Help arrives

His plight came to the fore earlier this year, when hundreds of craftsmen, businesses and workers came together to refit the family home as part of the DIY SOS programme.

The effort saw a new downstairs extension which created with the facilities Ryan needs.

The £180,000 refurbishment created a new physiotherapy space, a wet room, social space and disability access for the entire ground floor.

But the family still needed personal assistants before he could be moved home.

A small team of five has now been formed, Dave told the Post.

They will start training in Gloucester on Monday, before undertaking a course at the Bristol Royal Infirmary.

He’s coming home!

That means Ryan can start coming home as soon as next month.

Dave told the Post his son will be allowed to spend two nights a week at home from mid-July, going up to three nights the following week.

It is all in preparation for his permanent move home at the end of the month.“We are absolutely over the moon,” Dave said. “This is the light at the end of the tunnel for us – it’s been a difficult journey.

“The new home will save the family the stress of travelling up and down everyday to see him.”

He had a special message for those who helped, saying: “The support has been amazing. Everyone who came up to help, and people in our local community. They have all pulled together to make this happen. Thank you.

“There is light at the end of the tunnel at last. My family is together again because of them.”

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It caught me by surprise the other night. I remember hearing that they were in Bristol, but I didn't know it had already happened.

It was a great episode of a great show, and all of those that worked hard for this guy has done their city proud.

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Massive respect to all OTIBers who helped work or supply services for this family (and any others that may just be browsing). Massive fair play. Was emotional to watch even big Nick tearing up. Massive respect to help a family overcome with bad times. 

:clap::clap::clap:

Just shows even healthy young people can be struck down by something from almost nothing. I wish the family the best.

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Easy to be cynical but stuff like this shows people at their best.

Mark Millar, the short Norn Iron chap in it used to live opposite me in Windmill Hill, think he's a Southville resident since he became a TV star..

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Just now, candygram for mongo said:

Very emotional, what a woman his Mum is.

When someone put their foot through the ceiling, camera focused on my old school mate Tony Fisher, a big City fan.

Yes. His mum what a trooper. Thought must be costing going Gloucester on train every day. Wow. For one good thing this brings them and there many is at least she does not have that expense on her time and income no more.

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2 hours ago, Cotham Brow Red said:

Massive respect to all OTIBers who helped work or supply services for this family (and any others that may just be browsing). Massive fair play. Was emotional to watch even big Nick tearing up. Massive respect to help a family overcome with bad times. 

:clap::clap::clap:

Just shows even healthy young people can be struck down by something from almost nothing. I wish the family the best.

Drove past the site many times whilst it was ongoing and was great to see so many people smiling and supporting. Just people off the street would drop by to the food tent with boxes of sweets or crisps and bags of fruit. 

Was amazing to see and so glad Ryan will be back where he belongs.

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2 hours ago, Sir Colby-Tit said:

I can't watch DIY SOS. it usually makes me cry. And I'm a big hairy bloke, it's just not on.

Gets me too.  Nick Knowles was especially emotional this week.

Me and Mrs Fevs always tune in, and often see clever design that we wish we'd have thought of for our house when we had it adapted for Joe.

Our friends were on the Autistic Gardener last Saturday.  Anyone see that.

 

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3 hours ago, GrahamC said:

Easy to be cynical but stuff like this shows people at their best.

Mark Millar, the short Norn Iron chap in it used to live opposite me in Windmill Hill, think he's a Southville resident since he became a TV star..

I think he's Portishead now - quite often see him in Aldi's and Lidl over there 

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27 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

Gets me too.  Nick Knowles was especially emotional this week.

Me and Mrs Fevs always tune in, and often see clever design that we wish we'd have thought of for our house when we had it adapted for Joe.

Our friends were on the Autistic Gardener last Saturday.  Anyone see that.

 

I'm quite proud to say I've taught the interior designer, Gabrielle Blackman',s daughter. Always came to parents' evening, always very supportive. Lovely family. 

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On 30/06/2017 at 21:32, Davefevs said:

Gets me too.  Nick Knowles was especially emotional this week.

Me and Mrs Fevs always tune in, and often see clever design that we wish we'd have thought of for our house when we had it adapted for Joe.

Our friends were on the Autistic Gardener last Saturday.  Anyone see that.

 

Just remember you and Mrs Fevs are doing the best for Joe that you can do and best of luck.

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On 30 June 2017 at 22:28, REDOXO said:

Great stuff. So who will bring him down the Gate then? Bet he's looking forward to that!

Dolly would you be able to arrange for the family to come to a game would be nice for the family as Ryan love his football

 

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