Back from the brink of death
Rob Ludlow is so grateful to be walking and talking again.
He is even more blessed to be back with his family enjoying moments in time.
You see, on 26 February, 2023, Rob was brutally bashed in the head from behind. So bad was his brain injury, there was just a 30% chance he would survive.
A life-saving mercy dash from Whangārei to Auckland Hospital on board a Northland Rescue Helicopter, combined with exceptional medical care changed that equation – though not without plenty of heartache, challenges, unknowns and hard work.
Rob had to learn to swallow, eat, walk, and talk again and medical professionals were far from convinced he could achieve one of those tasks, let alone all.
Fast forward to XMAS 2024 and Rob has defied all odds, even completing a body building competition, winning two medals barely a year after being released from hospital.
While his memory will never be what it was and fatigue is a constant challenge, Rob is determined to continue rebuilding his life so he can enjoy life with his wife Elysha and their and children Finn and Frankie.
“Without that ride in the Northland Rescue Helicopter, I am told I would be dead,” says Rob.
“It was the speed of that helicopter getting me to specialists at Auckland Hospital that saved my life. Then it was thanks to the efforts of the medical staff and rehab specialists that got me back on my feet.”
Rob will never see out of his left eye again due to swelling of the brain crushing the optic nerve, but at least he can watch his babies grow up. He also suffers from aphasia where he constantly struggles to find the right words to say due to the brain injury.
The assault on Rob happened on February 26 and Rob was not deemed fully conscious until 18 April, 2023. In mid-July he managed to ask what had happened to him and by August he was trying to work out where he lived. His first memory before the incident is a year earlier.
Elysha says seeing Rob in hospital was horrible to witness.
So, if Rob was told to do five minutes of rehab, he would do 20 and that is why he has recovered so remarkably well.
Following a reunion with some of the Northland Rescue Helicopter crew members that helped Rob in his time of need, the couple have expressed their immense gratitude. They say without the flight, Rob would have been gone.
“It was nice to see the faces to the heroes that literally saved my life. They are incredible,” says Rob.
“Everyone in the world needs to keep in mind that things can happen to anyone and anyone can require the life-saving flight of a rescue helicopter. To know that without that flight Rob would not be here is an overwhelming feeling. I am just so thankful they were there when we really needed them. It is scary to think what could have been. We never thought we would need the Northland Rescue Helicopter. We are absolutely grateful,” says Elysha.
As for the future?
Well, afternoon rests will probably be part of Rob’s life forever. Meantime he is focused on getting better and stronger daily and plans to study to become a personal trainer.
Not to mention treasuring a second shot at life with his family and friends.
