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A yoga teacher suffered “horrendous” injuries including a fractured spine and broken arm when he slipped and fell after climbing a tree in South London. On a recent trip to Mitcham Common in Merton, Alex Brenner decided to climb a tall tree near Seven Islands Pond.
But he lost his footing and ended up being rushed to hospital where he has since had surgery which has led to more problems as he suffered nerve damage to his hand. The 32-year-old, from Raynes Park, now can’t wash or dress alone and is having to rely on those around him to help him as he recovers.
Speaking to MyLondon about his fall, which happened on July 15 in the evening, he said: “I started to slip down and suddenly I was aware I wasn’t in control. I snapped my arm, dislocated my shoulder, and fractured my vertebrae in my lower spine.”
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Alex, who is a musician and a yoga teacher, will not be able to work for anywhere between 6 months and a year as he recovers from his injuries. He and his friend have started a GoFundMe page to help him with his recovery costs and to help him pursue some of his other passions whilst he recovers.
He said: “I’ve had intensive surgery on the arm, a plate and six screws have been inserted to support the bone as it heals. Full recovery is estimated to take between six months and a year.”
Whilst waiting for paramedics to arrive, Alex was helped by a friend who was medically trained. Discussing his arm, Alex said: “It was coming out at a disturbing angle. It [the fall] was as good as it could have been, I could have hit my head or broken my neck. I am glad it wasn’t worse.”
Having recently returned to his mum’s house from St George’s Hospital in Tooting, Alex has been relying heavily on her for help after suffering nerve damage to his hand during surgery which has limited his movement. Alex said: “My pain is so bad I can’t sleep properly.”
Despite his injuries, Alex is intent on filling his recovery time with healing through his music and said he’s really grateful to those who have donated to his GoFundMe. Talking about wanting to give himself a purpose during his recovery period, Alex says he will work on his music and on creating a demo.
Alex has performed live during yoga classes and at live shows and says his music has resonated with many. Alex’s journey with yoga started in his 20s after extreme mental health problems he said: “Yoga and music have been integral to my healing. Yoga helped me find my own wellbeing and music has always been a way for me to express myself for when I have been in my darkest places.”
You can see and contribute to the GoFundMe page here.
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