A former contestant on the hit BBC television show The Traitors has returned to Morriston Hospital to reunite with the physiotherapist who helped him recover from life-changing injuries sustained in a devastating road accident.
Andrew Jenkins, who appeared in the second series of The Traitors, was just 21 when he suffered catastrophic injuries in a crash in August 1999. He spent four weeks in a coma and received specialist treatment at Morriston Hospital.
More than 26 years later, Andrew returned to Swansea to meet Clare Ford, the physiotherapist who played a key role in his rehabilitation.
Describing the visit as highly emotional, Andrew, from Llantrisant, said: “It was quite surreal walking back up the hill into the hospital.
“It’s a really special place for me. It’s where my life was saved. The people who cared for me, like Clare, are very important to me and I wanted to come back and say thank you.
“It’s been 26 years since I was last here. I’ve got lots of memories, some happy and some very difficult.
“When I woke up from the coma, I didn’t know where I was or what had happened. My family had been told there was a strong chance I’d never recognise them, walk, talk or use my arms and legs again.
“One of the first things I said was that I’d walk out of hospital, and that’s exactly what I did.”
Andrew suffered a shattered skull and a serious arm injury requiring reconstructive surgery. Clare helped him regain strength and movement in his arm during his recovery.
The visit was not Andrew’s first reunion with a member of the team involved in his care. Two years ago, he met Professor Hamish Laing, the reconstructive plastic surgeon who operated on him following the accident.
Andrew said reconnecting with those involved in his treatment has helped him come to terms with the trauma of the crash and the loss of a promising rugby career.
Clare said: “Memories of certain patients stay with you, and I remember Andrew very clearly, even down to the exact bed he was in.
“Despite extensive injuries to his head and skull, Andrew was fortunate not to suffer a long-term brain injury. While I was helping rehabilitate his arm, he was also getting back on his feet.
“Despite everything he was going through, he was always thoughtful and polite. I’m not at all surprised he’s now helping others.”
Andrew grew up dreaming of representing Wales at rugby. That dream ended when he was seriously injured in the crash, while travelling home from a wedding.
Recalling the accident, he said: “My wheel hit the kerb and the car flipped onto its side. I was thrown through the driver’s window and dragged along the road.
“When emergency services arrived, they initially thought I had died.”
After emergency treatment in Newport, Andrew was transferred to Morriston Hospital, a specialist centre for neurosurgery and plastic surgery.
“It was very touch and go,” he said.
“While all this was going on, a police officer knocked on my parents’ door to tell them what had happened. My mother says she remembers that night every single day.”
Andrew underwent emergency surgery and spent weeks in intensive care fighting for his life. Despite a bleak prognosis, he gradually learned to walk again with the support of the hospital team.
While his physical recovery progressed, the psychological impact of the accident remained with him for many years.
“The physical injuries were horrendous, but the psychological trauma was the hardest thing for me. I suffered in silence for more than 20 years. I walked around with a smile on my face and put on a mask every day.”
The accident not only ended Andrew’s sporting ambitions but also left him struggling with his identity, confidence and self-worth.
Eventually, counselling helped him come to terms with what he had lost and find a new purpose in inspiring others through his experiences. He also supports several charities, including brain injury charity Headway.
“I want people to know that you can experience trauma, live with scars, lose a dream, struggle with your mental health and still turn your life around,” he said. Since The Traitors, I feel very privileged to have a platform that allows me to inspire people.”
Reflecting on his return to Morriston, Andrew added: “The people who cared for me here changed my life. Coming back to thank them and seeing Clare again after all these years means a huge amount to me.”
For Clare, seeing the life Andrew has built since leaving Morriston was equally rewarding.
“It is wonderful to see how far he has come,” she said. “To know he is using his experiences to help and inspire others makes everyone who cared for him incredibly proud.”
