Coronation Street resident David Platt (played by Jack P Shepherd), has been through the works recently as his marriage to Shona Ramsey (Julie Golding) is collapsing before his eyes. And there hasn’t been anything he can do to stop it.
Fans will remember at that fateful Christmas fayre, Shona was struck in the head by a bullet meant for Gary Windass (Mikey North).
His former stooge and villainous businessman Derek Milligan (Craig Els), wanted revenge on Gary for ruining his life and went on a festive rampage, dead-set on ending his life and didn’t care who he hurt in the process.
Gary managed to get away unscathed, but clumsy Craig was responsible for two casualties, and eventually his own demise.
Robert Preston (Tristan Gemmill) was fatally injured and died in hospital and Shona suffered trauma to the brain, putting her in an induced coma for weeks.
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“Brain damage can cause a range of symptoms, and recovery can often be slow. It may sometimes feel like one step forward, two steps back – however, with the right rehabilitation and continued efforts, there is often scope for some recovery,” she explained.
“Whilst memory loss can sometimes be improved, there’s sadly no treatment to permanently cure it so that it’s fully back to normal. Instead, techniques and aids can help survivors cope with memory loss, to limit the impact on their lives.
“It’s impossible to know whether Shona’s memory will improve, but it would be unlikely for it to ever be back to how it was before.”
But Ipek revealed a breakdown in relationships isn’t uncommon for people with brain injuries.
“Sadly, breakdown in relationships are so common after a brain injury. This can be triggered by the person suffering a brain injury, or by loved ones who find it difficult to cope,” she admitted.
“Often, it may be easier for brain injury survivors to reject people from their past – as a coping mechanism or simply because feel they are different people now and no longer wish to be associated with them.”
She explained that emotions could be “traumatic”, and that Shona will need “careful help and support to ensure this doesn’t spiral”, causing her to be isolated or depressed.
But will David be able to support her in her recovery?
Will she allow her desperate husband to help her, or is this really the end of David and Shona?
Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7.30pm on ITV.