An 11-year-old boy from Sutton Coldfield was left unable to stand or walk after a rare skateboarding accident in snowy conditions.
Tommy Williams suffered severe whiplash and developed full-body tremors, leading to what he describes as the “hardest six months of his life”. Following the accident in January, he was diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), a condition where the brain’s ability to send and receive signals is impaired. His family believes the disorder was triggered by the trauma and pain resulting from the accident.
During his time as a patient at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Tommy maintained a positive attitude. He took part in hospital radio and even met Nitro from the Gladiators, experiencing moments of joy amid the challenge.
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After being discharged, Tommy was unable to stand or walk for more than three months. He relied on a wheelchair and slept on a mattress in the lounge at home. Despite difficulties in accessing community physiotherapy and facing delays due to tremors triggered by hospital visits, Tommy has made progress through extensive physiotherapy sessions conducted at home and specialist neuro-physio treatment.
Now walking again, although still in considerable pain and fatigued, Tommy is determined to continue his recovery. To express gratitude for the care he received, he plans to abseil at Birmingham Airport on Saturday, 17 October, raising funds for Birmingham Children’s Hospital and FND Hope, a support organisation for affected families. His fundraising efforts have already raised around £1,600.
Tommy said: “I was rushed to hospital with a suspected broken neck, but scans showed my neck was fine. Despite this, the pain spread all over my body and I developed full-body tremors. I was diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder, believed to be caused by the trauma and pain from the accident.”
“Even in hospital, I tried to keep smiling. The staff and volunteers were incredible and made my time easier. When I was discharged, I could not walk for over three months, sleeping in the lounge and using a wheelchair. Accessing physiotherapy was very challenging. Now, through hard work, I am walking again but still face pain and fatigue. I’m determined to get better.”
Tommy’s mother, Dawn, described him as an “amazing, positive, funny boy” who has endured so much and still wants to help others. She highlighted the excellent care he received in hospital but noted the limited follow-up care for FND. “This condition is becoming more common,” she said. “While Tommy is recovering well, some children suffer for years and remain wheelchair bound. Tommy continues to push himself daily despite fatigue and pain, and we are incredibly proud of him.”