A YOUNG Royston man who suffered a near-fatal brain injury has won a place to study politics at Leeds Metropolitan University this month - after relearning how to eat, talk and walk.
Jack Mitchell is unable to walk more than a few steps without help and has speech difficulties and little use in his right arm and leg. He relies on an electric wheelchair.
However, this didn't prevent him from passing his A-levels this year with grades of A*, B and C.
He's also inspired his family to raise thousands of pounds for local health services.
In 2009, Jack was 16 and an A-level student at Barnsley College. On a night out with friends, he fell and suffered a severe traumatic brain injury and almost died. After life-saving emergency surgery, he spent almost two weeks in a coma in Sheffield Hallamshire Hospital.
He was transferred to Barnsley Hospital where he spent five weeks, moving on to Keresforth Community Respite and Rehabilitation Centre - which became his home for almost a year.
Here, he relearned to eat and talk and began to take his first steps. He refused to accept that he would never walk again or have a 'normal' life.
In January 2011, Jack was discharged from rehab and returned home for good. He now lives with his girlfriend Paige, who has supported him throughout, in West End Avenue, Royston.
Jack has been nominated for a Proud of Barnsley award in the Triumph Against Adversity category by his mum Lynne Ryan, of Midland Road, Royston.
Lynne said: "Jack is an inspirational, determined, young man who wants to change the world for the better. There's no-one prouder of being from Barnsley than Jack and no-one prouder of Jack than me - his mum."
