A hit and run victim has been sharing his incredible story of recovery after suffering life-changing injuries and having been left for dead.
Mads Vallestad, 30, an electronics engineer, was walking home after returning from a holiday to Italy when he was struck by a blue Ford Fiesta which had mounted the pavement.
The driver fled the scene and Mr Vallestad was found unconscious on the pavement along with a rucksack he was carrying. His suitcase, dragged by the car, was found 200 yards away.
Mr Vallestad suffered a traumatic brain injury and fractured skull. He spent six weeks in the Royal Sussex County Hospital, in Brighton, initially in an induced coma in intensive care.
He had to have part of his skull removed and is now using Action for Brain Injury Week to speak about his determination to overcome his injuries and to warn of the consequences of dangerous driving.
After the incident, which happened at around 9.30pm on Sunday 16 October, 2022, Mr Vallestad was taken to the Royal Sussex.
His parents, Terje, 63, and Berit, 65, who were in Australia, flew back home to be by their son’s bedside.
Six days later, Mr Vallestad underwent surgery to release pressure on his brain and remove part of his skull.
He remained in an induced coma until Sunday 6 November and was discharged from the Brighton hospital on Sunday 27 November 2022.
For more than a year, Mr Vallestad had to wear a helmet to protect his skull when standing or walking – and he was forced to give up karate, biking and golf during that time.
He had further surgery to repair damage to his skull, including fitting a titanium plate, in January this year.
Mr Vallestad still suffers from memory, speech and language issues and his brain function is still impaired.
Before the collision, Mr Vallestad had been saving to buy a house but has had to delay this because of his injuries. He is still unable to work full-time and is on a phased return.
Mr Vallestad also suffered several broken bones in his face as well as a broken right collarbone and right big toe. He said: “Although I feel lucky to be alive, every aspect of my life changed that night.
“I was left for dead and I feel it’s only because of the actions of those who came to my aid and the emergency services and doctors that I survived.
“I spent six weeks in hospital but that was just the start of it. Once home I continued to suffer with problems and went from being an independent and outgoing person to one reliant on my family.
I was moved by thinking of what Mads experienced. From being who he was, independent, travelling and free and what he was capable of in his career to who he is now, a man with trauma, with physical and mental damage but at the same time with a huge determination and someone who will make a positive mark in this world by raising awareness of brain injury, associated disability and causes including reckless driving. He will be a strong advocate and support to others following his traumatic experience. Hopefully Mads will receive the right empowerment to keep on keeping on!
Nasko (the driver of the hit and run) has been released 2 years early.