Ed’s story
A breakthrough with music
After a catastrophic brain injury left Ed in a coma, music therapy helped him reconnect with the world, regain essential skills and rebuild his life.
A life changed in an instant
At 20 years old, Ed was training to become a pilot at Leeds University when a devastating accident changed everything.
One evening, he was hit by a speeding taxi while crossing the road, suffering a catastrophic brain injury. He spent three months in intensive care as doctors fought to save his life.
For six months, Ed remained in a non-responsive coma. His family faced an agonising wait, uncertain as to whether he would ever wake up.
Finding a way back through music therapy
When Ed finally began to emerge from his coma, he was transferred to Northwick Park Hospital in London for rehabilitation.
There, he met Jessica, a Nordoff and Robbins music therapist.
Drawing on Ed’s lifelong love of music, Jessica used piano, rhythm and singing as part of specially tailored music therapy sessions designed to support his recovery and stimulate engagement with the world around him.
Ed had always loved music. While in a coma, his sisters would play his favourite songs through headphones. As he began his recovery, the real transformation began with music therapy, when he started to slowly re-engage, communicate, and reconnect with the world around him.
Caroline, Ed’s mother
Relearning life through music
Alongside his rehabilitation programme, music became a powerful tool in Ed’s recovery. Through music therapy, he relearned essential skills he had lost following his injury. He learned to walk again by stepping to the beat of a drum. Singing helped him regain his speech and rebuild his confidence in communication.
Group sessions allowed him to interact with other patients, using musical instruments as a form of communication and connection.
Each step forward brought Ed closer to the life he thought he had lost.
The impact today
Today, Ed lives independently, works as a sales assistant and enjoys travelling, adventure and discovering new music.
For his family, his recovery is nothing short of remarkable.
Music therapy didn’t just support Ed’s rehabilitation. It gave him the tools to reconnect with himself, with others and with the future.
Seeing Ed recover was incredible, but what I’ve witnessed through Nordoff and Robbins goes far beyond our story. Music reaches the parts of the brain that other therapies cannot, offering hope, joy and connection to people of all ages and needs.
Caroline, Ed’s mother
Help more people find their way back through music
Ed and Caroline now proudly support Nordoff and Robbins as Ambassadors, advocating for music therapy as an invaluable and essential part of rehabilitation. They shared their story at the O2 Silver Clef Awards in 2013 and again in 2026.
Every day, our music therapists work with a diverse range of people, such as those who are autistic, or living with dementia, learning difficulties, brain injuries, life-limiting illnesses, mental health issues, grief and trauma. Through the power of music, they help people communicate, build connections and thrive.
But our vital work is only possible thanks to your generous donations. Please help more people find their way back through music with your donation.
Photo credit: 2026 JM Enternational
Music brought my son back to us. As a mother, there can be no greater gift.
Caroline, Ed’s mother
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