A RESIDENT of Burdon Grange Care Home in Highampton, who suffered severe brain damage in a car accident over 20 years ago, is proving his determination to share his story and try to prevent others from being in similar accidents.

Simon Casling, aged 43, was 18 years old in March 1990 when he was involved in a road traffic collision. He was a passenger travelling in a car on a country road near Plymouth when the vehicle, driven by a friend, crashed. No other vehicle was involved and the car Simon was in left the road, rolled and struck a tree.

Before his accident Simon was like any other young man — he played football and pool and had a large circle of friends. He enjoyed riding his motorbike and had an ambition to join the fire brigade.

The accident left Simon with brain damage after suffering a severe head injury. He has now become a police volunteer so that he can share his story and spread the message of how important road safety is.

PCSO Mark James, who has met with Simon and his family at Burdon Grange Care Home to discuss his role as a police volunteer, said: 'At Burdon Grange Simon was working with an occupational therapist Emma Middleton, who contacted the Holsworthy Neighbourhood Policing team last year after Simon had expressed a desire to do something to help spread road safety awareness, particularly amongst younger people.

'Upon meeting Simon, his determination to help stop other people from being involved in incidents like his became very clear. Hopefully by working with Simon we can facilitate this.

'With the help of the care team at Burdon Grange, Simon applied to become a police volunteer and having gone through the usual vetting procedure he was successfully accredited in March this year.

'We now plan to include Simon in some of our road safety awareness initiatives starting with the Holsworthy Community College Road Safety Day on June 25.

'We are also currently working with Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue service to explore other opportunities for Simon to get his message across.'

Simon was wearing a seatbelt at the time but was not wearing it correctly. It was off his shoulder and down over his left upper arm. During the crash, Simon's head struck the inside of the car but he did not sustain any other serious injuries. Simon was flown to Derriford Hospital in the police helicopter, where it was discovered that the blow to Simon's head had caused massive brain injury.

He remained in a coma for several months during which time doctors tried to take him off life support twice without success. His family were told that the third attempt would be the last and if unsuccessful, Simon would die. Fortunately, the third attempt was successful and Simon was able to function without life support and able to respond to his family.

It was another six months before Simon was able to communicate verbally and at this time his family hoped that he would make a full recovery — his sister challenged him to walk again by the time her baby was born. Simon underwent months of intensive physical therapy but sadly there was no improvement and since then Simon has never regained the use of his legs.

He has limited use of his arms and has had difficulty with breathing since the accident and this has recently deteriorated to the point that Simon had a tracheal tube fitted around four years ago. Simon's parents looked after him at home for 18 years as he needed 24 hour care.

Around eight years ago, as Simon's dad got older and his health deteriorated, Simon's parents made the decision to find the best caring environment they could for him. They chose Burdon Grange, in Highhampton, which was far from the closest to home but offered the environment that was best for Simon.

With the help of his family and the team at Burdon Grange, Simon has not allowed the accident to stop him from enjoying as many activities as possible, including abseiling and canoeing. He has been to watch football and rugby matches, enjoys quizzes, music, comedy programmes and going to the cinema.

Stuart Kempton, the general manager of Burdon Grange Care Home said: 'Simon is a wonderful chap. He has a wicked sense of humour and is a real character. He has a great personality. While he can be challenging, that is just a measure of his disability.

'This is something he feels he wants to do and given his circumstances I think it is a very brave thing to do. The police have embraced this.

'Given the extent of Simon's disability I think wanting to volunteer in this way and help prevent other people being in similar accidents is an incredible thing. He is turning a big negative into a big positive. He is extremely determined to do this and I think it takes a lot of guts.'