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From the
https://www.kentlive.news By Adele Couchman, 17 August 2018.
This Etchinghill barman was on a night out with friends - one year on and he's still in hospital.
Some £35k has since been raised for Aaron Jackson, who has remained
paralysed in hospital for a year.
The father of a former barman who has remained in hospital for more than
a year after plunging 35ft has thanked the generosity of the community.
Aaron Jackson, from Etchinghill near Folkestone, had been celebrating
his birthday on August 12 last year when he suffered a tragic accident
which left him paralysed.
After leaving a nightclub in Exeter alone, the former Harvey Grammar
School pupil climbed a fence - only to discover it was actually a city
wall with a sheer drop on the other side.
He was left with a broken neck and suffered extreme spinal damage from
the fall, which has resulted in him being paralysed from the shoulders
down.
Mr Jackson, who previously worked at The Gatekeeper Inn pub, was rushed
to Plymouth Hospital where he remained in intensive care.
The 23-year-old was then transferred to the William Harvey Hospital in
Ashford and later to a specialist spinal unit in Salisbury.
He has remained there ever since.
A total of £35,000 has been raised for Mr Jackson for when he returns
home, with his family thanking the "extraordinary" efforts of family,
friends and strangers.
“He can still talk, though his shoulders are where his strength ends,"
explains his dad Tony Jackson, 55.
"We will have to seriously adapt our accommodation, if not, move. All of
these things cost money.
"There is help available, but the money that has been raised will go an
awful long way in making his life a lot easier."
This photo of Aaron was taken just a week after the tragic accident took
place.
Mr Jackson, who had recently started work as a groundsman at Howletts
before his accident, will use a wheelchair he is able to control with
his head when he leaves hospital.
The former grammar school pupil had been making progress in hospital,
but recently had a major operation after suffering a bacteria infection
- slowing his return home.
After developing gaps at the back of his throat, Mr Jackson had to
undergo a major surgical procedure involving tissue taken from his thigh
being grafted to the back of his throat.
Dad Tony Jackman continued: “When the guys turned up with a £1,000 Ipad
Pro, it means that we can speak to him everyday over Facetime or Siri.
That’s thanks to the guys down the local pub.
£35,000 has been raised for Aaron Jackson for when he leaves hospital.
“It provides him with a great deal of entertainment as well. He has got
Amazon Prime, Netflix. When you have been lying on your back for 12
months you need something to take your mind off things."
Though Aaron's recent operation has not yet fully healed, his family
hope he will be home before Christmas.
His dad continued: “It’s been tough. In the early days he was making
good progress, and then he had an infection which set him back to full
bedrest.
“But we’ve not just had financial support, we have had emotional support
as well. Just knowing we have help there when we need it, it has been
extraordinary.
“When people can restore your faith in humanity in times like this in
your life, it means everything.”
Individuals and organisations who have raised money include Kelli Heynes
from Colebrook Sturrock estate agency and Aaron's former employer The
Gatekeeper Inn.
Funds have also been raised through cake sales, marathon runners and
other pubs in the area.
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