Bristol man had no idea who he was after horror motorway crash
He awoke from a three-month coma unable to walk or talk
Filipa Gaspar, SWNS and Shannon Brown Reporter 15:22, 23 Jun 2025
Jamil Hussain with his mum in hospital(Image: Cygnet Health Care(C) SWNS)
Jamil Hussain, 35, faced an unimaginable ordeal after a series of seizures whilst driving along the M69 led to a dreadful accident and a three-month coma with subsequent memory loss.
Hailing from Lockleaze in Bristol, Mr Hussain had a grave diagnosis of limbic encephalitis, a scarcely encountered neurologic ailment notorious for causing brain inflammation, epileptic bouts, ad profound amnesia.
Upon awakening, Mr Hussain found himself bereft of identity and basic faculties, unable to walk, talk, or even recognise his own reflection. An arduous 18 months followed, retraining himself in these fundamental skills to reclaim some independence.
Reflecting on his harrowing experience, Mr Hussain remarked, "When I woke up, I didn't know who I was or how to do anything.
"I couldn't walk, talk or even recognise most people - only my mum.
"I remember seeing her and knowing who she was but not being able to speak.
It was terrifying."
Article continues below"I look back now and realise how far I've come in my journey.
Jamil Hussain with him mum and sister at Cygnet Brunel(Image: Cygnet Health Care(C) SWNS)
"I want to be that beacon of light for others who are in still in the thick of their difficult times, helping them see a way through."
The catastrophic incident occurred during the initial Covid-19[1] lockdown in 2020 as Mr Hussain traversed the M69.
After a six-month stint in Leicester General Hospital and subsequently Bristol Southmead[2] Hospital, Jamil was moved to Cygnet Brunel - a 32-bed neuropsychiatric hospital located in Henbury. Here, he gradually relearned how to walk, talk, cook, and regain his independence.
He's now back on the road after retaking his driving test and continues to manage his condition with medication.
Mr Hussain expressed: "My mum was the driving force behind my recovery. She's my inspiration, and I owe it all to her.
"She gave me the strength to come back stronger, and now I can be that strength for others."
Now, he utilises his journey as a source of inspiration and support in his role as an Expert by Experience at the Cygnet Health Care service.
"I'm like the bridge between the staff and the service users," Jamil explained.
Jamil suffered a seizure behind the wheel - resulting in a horror accident that left him in a coma for three months(Image: Cygnet Health Care(C) SWNS)
"I'm empathetic and non-judgmental.
I only speak from my own experience, and that helps me show others that they are safe, supported and not alone."
Jamil has become a trusted mentor to patients and a valuable guide for staff, helping both understand each other better, building trust, and demonstrating that recovery is life-changing.
At Cygnet Brunel, Jamil slowly began to rebuild his life, relearning everyday tasks and regaining his independence.
He stated: "I like to view myself as a mentor. You have to be in tune with staff so you're all on the same page, but also build trust with the patients. I want them to feel as safe as I did when I was there."
He emphasised: "It's so important that we listen and act on what they tell us, no matter how big or small their ideas and feedback might be, so they know they're being heard and that their voices matter.
"For me, when I was in hospital, it was so frustrating because your brain is telling you one thing but your body's doing another.
"You feel extremely vulnerable and have to place your trust in these individuals whom you've never met before.
Article continues below"It showed me the importance of how you speak to people and interact with them.
The importance of that first impression for building trust."
For Jamil, every visit to a Cygnet Health Care service is an opportunity to learn, connect, and contribute.
"It gives me purpose," he declared. "I want to show people there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Life can be even better than it was before."