Ben Gregory’s girlfriend Naomi Heffernan has revealed that her partner has been ‘transformed’ since moving to a new hospital and has an ‘exciting and independent future ahead’.
Naomi provided an update on the 31-year-old decathlete’s condition after he suffered a fractured skull and multiple brain injuries following a gruesome car accident in August.
Sharing a photo of the pair enjoying coffee, Naomi said it was their first outing in months and made them feel like a “normal couple” again.
Couple: Ben Gregory’s girlfriend Naomi Heffernan has revealed that her partner has ‘transformed’ since moving to a new hospital and has an ‘exciting and independent future ahead’
She wrote: ‘Last week I was able to go out for coffee with Ben for the first time in 4 months with Ben’s mum Lorraine and one of his therapists Roxi.
“It was like we were a normal couple living a normal life, maybe even forgetting about a brain injury for just a second.”
“Since Ben moved into Wellington Hospital almost a month ago, he has been transformed. The level of care and therapy is outstanding and he has contributed 1000% to her incredible progress.”
Naomi added that Ben’s recovery from his traumatic brain injury would be long, but he is looking forward to what the new year will bring.
Injury: Naomi provided an update on the 31-year-old decathlete’s condition after he suffered a fractured skull and multiple brain injuries following a horrific car accident in August
Naomi wrote: “It was like we were a normal couple living a normal life, maybe even forgetting about a brain injury for just a second.”
She said: ‘They say that recovering from TBI is a lifelong process, but I believe with all my heart that Ben has an exciting and independent future ahead of him.
‘It could take another 4-6 months of being in the hospital, but 2023 will see us living together again and getting some normality back.
‘All types of therapy will be a big part of Ben’s daily life for a long time, from physiotherapy, occupational, music and neuropsychology.
“It will help him regain his cognitive and physical functions to become more and more like the Ben we all know.”
Support: Naomi added that Ben’s recovery from his traumatic brain injury would be long, but he’s looking forward to what the new year will bring.
Naomi concluded her post by thanking her and Ben’s supporters for their well wishes and support of the fundraiser.
She said: ‘Thank you all so much for all you have done to help Ben over these last 4 months.
‘From fundraisers to challenges and training. One day, Ben will take great comfort in remembering the support everyone has given him.
“2022 will always be remembered as the year our lives were turned upside down, but from here on out, things can only get better.”
Ben’s injuries occurred after he was struck by a car, British Olympian Kelly Sotherton has confirmed.
Details of the accident came just two days after Ben teased Instagram with some “exciting news” he hoped to share soon, accompanied by a video clip of himself working out on a treadmill.
Naomi added: “They say that recovering from traumatic brain injury is a lifelong process, but I believe with all my heart that Ben has an exciting and independent future ahead of him.
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Ben has been competing in track and field for over a decade and has been successful in many competitive events despite setbacks caused by injury.
He represented Team GB at junior and senior levels in European Cup matches and competed in his first major championship, the Commonwealth Games, in 2010 in Delhi. In the event she placed sixth, setting a new Commonwealth pole vault record.
He placed sixth again at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014 and set another all-time record. However, he came within two points of breaking the Welsh national record, GetBuzzing reported.
He later set the new Welsh national record in 2016 after competing in the Mount Sac Relays and winning the Decathlon.
Ben also had a modeling contract with the London-based agency W Model Management. His modeling work is used for campaigns around the world.
Career: Ben has been competing in track and field for over a decade and has been successful in many competitive events despite setbacks caused by injury (pictured 2018)
Gregory was also involved in a bicycle accident in September 2020. He documented the crash on his Instagram account with a series of images holding up his damaged helmet.
The athlete used the crash as an opportunity to reiterate how important it is to wear a helmet while riding.
“They do a job and are cheap when you think about what the alternative would be,” he wrote in the Oct. 2, 2020, post.
‘Pick up a helmet when you bike, the same way you would put on a seatbelt in a car. Take care. Grateful to be in one piece after Monday’s collision. Thank you all so much for all the well wishes and support. It’s been a tough week, but definitely on the road to recovery.
Gregory was also involved in a bicycle accident in September 2020. He documented the crash on his Instagram account with a series of images holding up his damaged helmet.