A dad who suffered devastating self-inflicted burns when his relationship broke down has praised the Glasgow medics who have given him hope for the future.
Matt Lloyd had up to 70 per cent full-body burns when he was admitted to Glasgow Royal Infirmary after his world fell apart last August.
The 54-year-old, who moved to Johnstone from his native Bromwich 12 years ago, said: “The first thing I remember is speaking to my two sons in Birmingham on the phone.
"I was guilty about what I had put my family through and explaining to my children and my family and telling them that I didn’t do it because I didn’t love them. I just didn’t love myself at that time. That was the hardest part."
Matt worked as a manager for Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation, setting up depots and managing three charity shops.
He decided to share his experience to help others realise there is hope when life is difficult and "things can and do get better.”
The dad-of-two spent six weeks in the hospital's intensive care unit before being transferred to the burns unit.
He underwent a further four operations and significant rehabilitation, working with a large team of experts, including surgeons and nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, healthcare support workers, and mental health teams.
Given the nature of the injuries, some patients spend weeks and sometimes months on the ward, before continuing care through the on-site burns clinic.
With the help of the team, Matt was able to get back on track and was discharged in October last year, although his treatment continues.
He hopes to be able to work as a charity volunteer and is keen to share his story with other patients who may find their injury daunting.
He said: “You can survive it, I want to share my story and let people know that everything will be okay.”
Catriona Murray, a senior physiotherapist on the unit, said: “We look for little wins every day. A burn injury is often a life changing injury, not just for the patient, but for their family too. We come together as a team, to help encourage functional tasks, our goal is to help get people back to functioning as they were before their injury."
Stephanie Grassick, an occupational therapist, said: “It’s all about patients gaining in confidence and sometimes that takes a little negotiation and encouragement to help people to get their lives back.”
Matt thanked the entire team who looked after him, from porters and domestics, to the surgeons who saved his life. But he has a special place in his heart for the nursing team
He added: “I thank the people who looked after me every day. They saved me and gave me back to my sons.
“The nurses knew that I was on my own here in Scotland and they were fantastic, they were so caring and so gentle and they just played a massive part in me getting better. They used to go out and buy me sandwiches and cakes – just amazing.
“I really believe that without their help, I wouldn’t be here.”
If you’re having a difficult time and need support, you can contact your GP or contact the Samaritans, 24 hours a day on 116 123 or through their website www.samaritans.org
