Inspirational Leeds man scoops national award
02 December 2011
A Leeds man who this year defied medical predictions to graduate from Leeds Metropolitan University has won a national award for the inspirational way in which he has rebuilt his life.
Max Muteliso, 29, from Alwoodly, has been named Achiever of the Year in the annual awards run by Headway - the brain injury association. Max, who beat-off competition from across the UK, was presented with the award at a glittering ceremony held at London's Dorchester Hotel on Friday 2 December.
In 2002, Max was a back seat passenger in a car travelling at 100mph on the M1 when the driver lost control. The car somersaulted off the carriageway, rolling several times on the way. He was thrown from the vehicle and emergency services staff had to search for him by the side of the road.
He was taken to the neurosurgical unit at Leeds General Infirmary where he underwent emergency surgery for his catastrophic head injuries comprising a skull fracture and a pooling of blood on the brain. He had suffered a subdural haematoma and was in a coma for four weeks. He remained in hospital for a further three months before spending an additional eight months in a rehabilitation unit.
Max was left with a devastating brain injury that meant he was largely wheelchair dependant, while cognitively he had problems with memory, concentration and fatigue. He also had to relearn how to talk.
Gradually, with the help of Headway Leeds, part of the national charity that works to improve life after brain injury, Max has rebuilt his life - demonstrating incredible strength, courage and determination to do so.
Indeed, Max's incredible recovery culminated earlier this year when he graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University with a degree in Human Geography and Planning. Despite the tremendous amount of effort it took him to get his degree, Max has now decided to enrol on a post-graduate course.
At the same time, the generous Leeds man dedicates his spare time to helping others affected by brain injury. He is a committee member of Headway Leeds, while he has also appeared in national awareness campaigns for the charity.
Max was presented with his award by Beverley Turner, wife of double Olympic gold medallist James Cracknell, who sustained a brain injury in 2010, and Peter McCabe, Chief Executive of Headway - the brain injury association.
"Max is an incredible young man," said Peter McCabe. "He has shown tremendous strength, courage and determination to rebuild his life from scratch and has refused to let his disabilities hinder him from achieving his goals.
"He always has a smile on his face and this positivity and enthusiasm for life, along with his passion for helping others, is nothing short of inspirational. He is thoroughly deserving of this accolade."
The Headway Annual Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions of people with brain injuries and those working to support them.
Other winners collecting their awards at The Dorchester Hotel in London were Bruce Galleway, from Essex (Volunteer of the Year), Sandy Allis from Lincolnshire (Carer of the Year), Aberdeen's Michelle Coulson (Campaigner of the Year), and Norman Keen from London (The Stephen McAleese Outstanding Contribution to Headway Award).