Ellis Pears, a 19-year-old law student at Aberystwyth University, experienced a life-changing incident following a car crash that resulted in a concussion. The accident occurred when he swerved to avoid another vehicle and flipped his car. Following the crash, Pears found himself unable to speak Welsh, a language in which he had always been fluent, which left him feeling like a 'foreigner' at his Welsh-speaking university.

Just days after the traumatic event, Pears, who has always attended Welsh-medium schools, found himself struggling with day-to-day communication in Welsh. This unexpected loss of language fluency has not only hindered his studies but has also created a significant emotional barrier as he tried to connect with his classmates and navigate his university life. A third of his coursework is conducted in Welsh, making this situation particularly challenging.

In addition to losing his ability to communicate in Welsh, Ellis has been dealing with troubling psychological effects, such as flashbacks, anxiety, and brain fog, which complicate his recovery process. This case highlights the profound impact that traumatic brain injuries can have on cognitive functions, including language, and underscores the need for supportive measures to assist individuals in similar situations.