Why is my iPad not working

Not a techie question as such.. more like has my techie stuffed up?

iPad Air.. had semi protective cover on.. toddler dropped many month ago.. screen cracked, became progressively worse. Took to repairer, said I couldn't connect to cloud. Dropped my laptop in to be repaired at same time.. as it was unresponsive, couldn't backup iPad.

Techie has taken off screen and now saying iPad is completely unresponsive?? Said something about motherboard damaged.. but was working when dropped off? Can I retrieve photos somehow?