After a life-threatening brain injury a Sutton skater is launching a charity aimed at encouraging other sports enthusiasts to protect their heads.
Rob Glanville, 37, suffered a devastating brain injury while attempting a wall-ride inline skate trick in 2015.
After three weeks in a coma and six months’ rehab that saw him learn to eat, drink, walk and talk again, he wants to try and stop others from suffering the same fate, in a campaign supported by St Helier Hospitals Trust.
“I don’t want to discourage people from taking risks, but I’ve had to learn the hard way that you don’t have to suffer the way I did from hitting your head,” he said.
Rob Glanville – SOG from Ed Inglis on Vimeo.
Mr Glanville’s injury was so severe that his family were told he might not survive, but with the help of doctors, who are backing the campaign, he’s back skating again.
His ‘Lids Saves Lives’ charity will start by getting well known people in each skating discipline involved and to get them wearing helmets and promoting helmet use to their peers.
“Hopefully we can make a positive influence on the next generation and get them to make the right decision and wear protection,” he said.
“We’re trying to get rid of the stigma that helmets are uncool or nerdy.
“They’re not because when you’re properly protected you can push the tricks further and push the sport further.”
Ultimately he aims to open a sports academy to help people who have suffered brain injuries get back into the sport they love.
Mr Glaville believes there is a lot of ignorance around brain injuries and he wants to raise awareness about how easily they can occur and how devastating they can be.
He believes that not enough is being done across all sports about head injury awareness and how to properly deal with them and he wants to teach people how to spot a concussion and what to do.
“I know it can be very easy to get caught up in the moment,” said St Helier joint medical director Dr Ruth Charlton.
“But those extra few minutes it takes to gear up could potentially save you or someone else’s life, so don’t take the risk.”
