'I won't let life-changing crash define me,' says 20-year-old

A young man who suffered life-changing brain and spinal injuries in a crash has said he does not want to be "defined" by the incident.

Joshua Kay-Shaw, from Ripon, also suffered fractured ribs, a fractured breastbone and a punctured lung when the car he was a passenger in collided with another vehicle on Marston Lane in York, in December 2023.

The 20-year-old, who was studying accounting at York College at the time, spent four months in hospital and now uses a wheelchair.

Kay-Shaw said that despite many challenges he has faced since the crash, he had become much more "outgoing".

Kay-Shaw, who also suffered injuries to his liver and spleen, was placed in an induced coma for four days following the crash and underwent surgery to his brain and spinal cord.

Besides chronic pain he subsequently suffered from memory and concentration difficulties, fatigue and sleep problems, loss of mobility and was dependent on others for much of his daily life.

Kay-Shaw said: "Before the incident, I was very active and independent. I enjoyed playing football, swimming, gaming and spending time with friends.

"I'd also recently passed my driving test and couldn't wait to experience the freedom of being able to drive."

Kay-Shaw initially had no useful movement in his legs, but now walks short distances using crutches and a specialist splint.

Funding secured through a legal settlement enabled Kay-Shaw to buy a lightweight wheelchair to help him travel longer distances he cannot walk, while the money also helped to adapt the bathroom at the home he lived in with his grandparents.

Kay-Shaw said he still experienced "periods of confusion", while his short-term memory had been "really bad", prompting him to have to ask the same questions repeatedly.

But he added: "One positive that's come out of the accident is that I'm much more outgoing. I think it's because I've come to realise that there is more to life and my attitude has changed.

"I know I still face many challenges but I'm determined to try and regain more of my independence and to not be defined by what happened.

"Because of my injuries I'm not sure I could be an accountant but a big motivation is trying to find a job."

David King, from solicitors Irwin Mitchell, which legally represented Kay-Shaw after the crash, said: "Joshua suffered devastating injuries at a pivotal time in his life.

"Through no fault of his own, he lost much of his independence and faced a very uncertain future.

"While Joshua and his loved ones would rather not have been in the position they faced, we're pleased that we've at least been able to provide them with the support they needed and secured Joshua access to the specialist rehabilitation and therapies he requires now and in the future."

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