A man has been left with half of his skull missing following a sickening one punch attack and he now lives in fear a single knock to the head could kill him.
Braden Stromberg, 27, was left with was bleed on the brain and had to be placed in an induced coma following the unprovoked assault that took place last year.
Braden nearly died several times whilst in intensive care.
In May last year, Braden was walking to the shops after work with his girlfriend when he was attacked from behind by a man identified as Kyle Stephenson in Bolsover, Derbys.
The man was knocked totally unconscious after being punched in the face before smashing his head on the road.
He was quickly rushed to the hospital where doctors battled to save his life by removing the right side of his skull during a three hour operation.
The young grounds worker nearly died and spent a full 15 days in an induced coma before making an incredible recovery which totally stunned doctors.
While he thankfully came around, Braden now lives in fear that a single fall or knock to the head could kill him.
He is now forced to wear a helmet to shield his unprotected brain whenever he leaves the house due to the tragic incident.
Braden is currently awaiting further surgery to have a titanium skull fitted so he can return to work and says he is looking forward to the future after seeing his attacker jailed.
He said: “Every doctor I have spoken to has said how lucky I am to not have woken up from the coma paralysed or in a vegetated state.
“They can’t believe it. There might be an inch of spinal fluid where my skull has been removed and then it’s just my brain unprotected.
“If I knocked this it could potentially be fatal.”
Braden disclosed that he now feels like his life has been ‘put on hold’ because of the attack.
Eager to get back to work, he added: “I am looking forward to having the operation done as it means life will be able to get back to normal.”
Braden’s been told that the upcoming titanium skull surgery is quite a ‘risky’ operation due to possibly chance of infection or ‘further bleeds’.
However, he’s noted that he wants to go through with it as it is his ‘one chance’ to get back to his regular life and work routine.
The operation is due to take place at Sheffield’s Royal Hallamshire Hospital in March of this year but he remains unemployed and dealing with the repercussions of the life-changing attack.
He explained: “I am able to talk and move around but the attack has had life-changing effects on me mentally, physically and emotionally.”
Noting issues with his health, Braden added that the attack has caused him to have ‘poor dexterity’ in both his left eye and left hand which he can no longer grip things with.
Due to this, Braden is now limited in what he can do with his hands, but has been informed that he should be able to ‘slowly regain’ such functions.
Not only has the attack led to physical issues, Braden’s personality has also ‘altered slightly’ as he now doesn’t always have ‘a filter’ between his brain and mouth.
“It has affected me financially too as I can’t work and family’s mental health has also been effected by the attack,” he added.
The attacker, Kyle, has since been arrested and charged with grievous bodily harm and pleaded guilty.
He was sentenced to one year and 10-and-a-half months in prison at Derby Crown Court on 6 February.
Braden revealed: “I am happy that he is behind bars, but I don’t think the sentence he has been given is long enough.”
Detective Investigator Sarah Price, of Derbyshire Police, said of the case: “This unprovoked attack has had a devastating impact on the life of Braden.
“The actions of Stephenson just go to prove how damaging a single punch can be with the victim incredibly lucky to have survived the ordeal.”
She concluded: “This is a sobering reminder of the devastating impact that a single punch can have.”
