Anyone familiar with the world of Harry Potter knows that each of the characters play a special role, and they hold a place in the hearts of the entire world. We were all alarmed when we found out that Jim Tavare, the actor who played Tom the Innkeeper in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, had been in a horrific car accident in March. This head-on collision left him in an Intensive Care Unit in Los Angeles, suffering with a broken neck, a punctured lung, 15 broken ribs, fractures in both breastbones and multiple breaks in his right leg.
While in ICU, Jim had multiple blood transfusions and surgeries, but kept in good spirits as he shared his progress with his fans on social media. His wife, Laura, typed out his updates and shared images of him giving thumbs up signs, despite being rigged up to multiple machines and donning a neck brace. She also reached out to us at Human Touch, having heard of our Perfect Chair recliners and all that they could do for someone recovering from neck and back injuries like Jim’s.
After spending 15 days in intensive care, as well as time in the recovery area of the hospital, Jim was released to his home, where we had coordinated with Laura to provide a PC-610 Omni Motion Classic recliner with several upgrades including Jade Heat and Memory Foam PLUS. Using the PC-610, Jim will be able to alleviate much of the pressure and pain that would otherwise be on his neck and spine, which will help him to relax and to recover faster.
We were so impressed with Jim and Laura’s hospitality while we delivered the chair and were equally movedas Jim announced that the experience of receiving such a gift was “quite an emotional moment.” His dog Mr. Kippy, sat with Jim and also enjoyed the comfort of the recliner. Mr. Kippy’s story is also a miraculous one, as he was with Jim in the car during the crash, and needed the vehicle to be cut open in order to be saved. This image shows them both enjoying the Perfect Chair PC-610 Omni Motion Classic.
Laura and Jim have graciously invited us to join them as we follow along on Jim’s progress and recovery. We’ve already received so many kind words from not only the Tavares, but even their extended family and friends. We are in awe of the support system that Jim has to help him through this journey, and feel very humbled that we’ve been invited to join in with such a gracious group.
Follow along here on our blog, for regular updates on Jim and his recovery. And feel free to post your own words of encouragement to Jim’s Facebook page here.
Earlier this year, Human Touch was able to help Jim Tavare to recover after a devastating car accident by offering him a Perfect Chair PC-610 Omni-Motion Classic recliner. The actor, who played Tom the Innkeeper in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, had been in a head-on collision that left him in an Intensive Care Unit, suffering with a broken neck, a punctured lung, 15 broken ribs, fractures in both breastbones and multiple breaks in his right leg. You can read more about his accident, and how Human Touch got involved, by clicking here.
We recently checked in with Jim and his wife, Laura, who updated us on his progress. His physiotherapy has been going well, and he currently works with his therapist 4 times per week. After months of being immobile, he is now walking again and feeling much happier to be able to get around. Although he still suffers from residual pain, Laura shared that the PC-610 has been a huge help on his road to recovery. Here is a video message that Jim created, sharing more about how the PC-610 has impacted him over the past few months.
We posted earlier this month about our work with Jim Tavare, the star of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, who was in a horrific car accident this past March. The head-on collision was nothing short of a nightmare, leaving Jim with a broken neck, 15 broken ribs, multiple breaks in his right leg, a punctured lung, and fractures in both breastbones. He spent 15 days in Intensive Care at a hospital in Los Angeles, after which he was able to go home. However, he knew that his road to recovery had only just begun.
We worked closely with his wife, Laura Tavare, to provide a Perfect Chair PC-610 Omni-Motion Classic recliner in order to alleviate some of the pain of Jim’s injuries and allow him to properly rest so that he can recover. The Manager of our Backcare Division, Mark Moritz, was able to personally deliver the PC-610 to Jim’s home, where he demonstrated how to use the chair and answered any questions.
In the month that Jim has been able to use his Perfect Chair, he and Laura shared that it’s been a huge aid in his recovery. While they’re still waiting for his surgeon’s permission to bear weight on his arms and leg, Jim has been immobile within his home. Sleeping in his bed was too uncomfortable for him, so he was relieved to find that his PC-610 has provided a sanctuary where he can get a good night’s rest. Because the chair can be relocated to any room in his house, he can also escape the confines of his bed to enjoy more public spaces of his home. According to Laura, “Jim can happily sit for hours in the Perfect Chair. Being able to recline into zero gravity brings him enormous relief.”
It has been so incredible to be a part of Jim’s journey to recovery. While our primary reward has been to help him along as he works so hard to get well, we have received a huge number of comments, messages, and emails from Jim’s friends and family as they share their thanks for our help. We look forward to Jim’s continued improvement, and will continue to update you with news of his progress.
Below are a few x-rays of Jim's "new hardware" that the Tavares were kind enough to share with us, so that our readers can better understand the gravity of Jim’s injuries, and the details of his recovery. As you can see, there has already been extensive surgical work done on his right leg and foot (shown here)
