A man who thought he would never walk again has been given hope after months of intensive specialist physiotherapy treatment at Bramley Health’s Croham Place facility.

65 year-old Roger Slater arrived at Croham Place, in South Croyden, following an admission to hospital after a fall. Whilst in hospital Roger lost the ability to walk after gradually losing the bulk of the muscle mass in his legs. 

Now Roger can stand up by himself and walk with the assistance of a Zimmer frame thanks to six months of hard work and guidance from the physiotherapy team at Croham Place. 

The team at Croham Place developed a programme especially for Roger’s rehabilitation which involved bi-weekly 45 minute intensive sessions concentrating on improving joint flexibility, building strength in his quads and calves, and improving Roger’s balance. 

The team tracked Roger’s progress by taking bi-weekly photographs in the sessions, which also provided a reference point to allow the Croham Place resident to keep up with the exercise regime outside the sessions. 

Speaking about his patient Thanassis Kontzedakis, Senior Physiotherapist at Croham Place, said: “Roger has made amazing progress during his time with us, not only physically but mentally too. He has really come out of his shell and gained in confidence.

“I think when he first came here he was feeling low and had lost hope of ever leaving his wheelchair, so to see him getting up and walking without help from anyone else just six months later is simply fantastic.

“Before he relied heavily on other people’s help to do even the most basic tasks, he now has gained a great deal of independence. He loves to pop round the corner for his breakfast and regularly takes trips to the shops.

“Roger is proof that well-delivered physiotherapy has the ability to deliver significant health benefits and can massively improve people’s physical, emotional and social well-being.”