Determined mum saw son recover

11:03am Friday 11th July 2008

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THE mother of a talented rugby player whose future was shattered by a dangerous driver has been nominated for an award.

Liam Stagnell, of Fifth Avenue, Tang Hall, York, spent years of his life dreaming of playing for York Knights or even Bradford Bulls until last September.

Dangerous driver Noel Jenkinson was overtaking a row of cars when he smashed into the car in which 20-year-old Liam was a passenger last September.

Serious head injuries left Liam in a coma for eight weeks, with doctors warning his mother, Dawn, that he had little chance of survival – and even if he did live, he could be left in a persistent vegetative state.

For eight weeks, Dawn stayed by Liam’s bedside trying to stay positive.

Despite holding down a full-time job, she would spend night after night talking to him and urging him to keep fighting to stay alive. Liam has since delighted his mother by making a steady recovery.

Dawn’s sister, Yvonne Thompson, feels she deserves recognition for the determination and bravery she showed while Liam was left fighting for his life, and has nominated Dawn in the Parent Of The Year category of The Press’s Community Pride Awards 2008, an awards scheme run in conjunction with the City of York Council.

Yvonne said: “Dawn was so positive while Liam lay in hospital, even though she spent weeks not knowing whether he would survive.

“She cared for him while he lay in a coma, taking care of his every day needs while urging him to keep fighting to stay alive despite being so scared to see her son, who was so active, hooked up to so many machines.

“Doctors advised Dawn to prepare herself that Liam might be in a vegetated state for the rest of his life, but Dawn would not accept this and stayed so positive.

“Gradually Liam came out of his coma and everyday Dawn would get Liam to do something different to enable him to get stronger and communicate with his family. Due to Dawn and Liam’s determination Liam amazingly started to do all those things the doctors never thought he would do.”

The deadline for nominees for The Press’s Community Pride Awards is approaching.

All entries must be in by July 23. To nominate someone, send in an entry form, with a non-returnable picture of your nominee and a supporting statement setting out why your nominee deserves an award.

Send nominations to Community Pride Awards, Paula Homer, The Press, 76-86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN. Alternatively, you can email us at editor@thepress.co.uk