Case Studies

A Carer and Her Husband

My husband was a builder and in 2008 he had a traumatic brain injury.  He fell 30 feet from a roof straight onto concrete.   He was in hospital for several months.  He was lucky to survive but the person that left for work that morning was not the person that came back home.

Unfortunately he can be very selfish now and needs to be constantly amused and kept busy.  We do play a lot of games, but as a result I am never able to keep on top of my housework and bills and just general things that need to be done.  I am afraid that this leads to a lot of frustration on my  part and when he does go to sleep instead of getting on with things I just snatch at a bit of peace and quiet.

We are together constantly and as he never really makes any conversation life can now feel very lonely and isolating.

Since I have had some time to myself on a Monday it has made such a lot of difference.  The first Monday I was so worried about using the time properly that I ended up feeling poorly and it seemed to go so quickly that I’m sure I ended up wasting it.  A few weeks on and I qam now a bit more chilled and am managing to get on top of things at home.  Last week I managed to get all of my work done and even meet up with an old friend for coffee which was lovely, even though I felt a little guilty.

I don’t have to worry about my husband as I know that he is safe and enjoying himself.  Everyday we have set things to do and if it rains or if a problem occurs I always have to have a fall back plan to keep my husband busy.  On a Monday it is lovely not to have to plan anything or think about anything if I don’t want to.  I do look forward to Mondays and a bit of me time.

Headway Case Story: Charlotte

Hello my name is Charlotte and I survived a brain injury...

In 2014 I was passenger in a serious Road Traffic Accident. I suffered 13 broken bones, a punctured lung, liver lacerations and a brain haemorrhage in addition to a shattered pelvis which was held together by a metal fixing which was removed in November 2015. I have recently had an injection in my sacroiliac Joint because I still suffer pain in my pelvis and spine.

I suffer from short term memory loss, and anger since my brain injury. I have been having psychotherapy sessions for the last 18 months which help me to understand my issues which are still ongoing. I am supported by my family and partner which I'm eternally grateful for. I first heard about Headway through my recovery in Portsmouth QA Hospital, on wards D4 and F1 after I was transferred home from my intensive care stay in Derriford Hospital. My psychotherapist pointed me in the direction of Headway for voluntary work, as my next goal is to gain confidence in a working situation.

I have been volunteering at Headway since Sept 2015 twice a week in the social inclusion sessions, which I feel the service users really appreciate and benefit from, and are very active and supportive of each other which is wonderful to see. I would like to thank Headway as the service they offer is commendable which is supporting me through my ongoing recovery :) xxx

Headway Case Story: Janice

Hello, my name is Janice and I survived a brain injury....

In 2012 I had an intra-cerebral haemorrhage which mimics the symptoms of a stroke. I spent 3 months in QA on F1 Phoenix Rehabilitation ward and the said I shouldn't of survived!!! I didn't even recognise my own children.

But now my life has changed for the better. I can now walk, look after myself and manage day to day life. And best of all I now know all of my children!!!!

My life is not a challenge any more and my next goal is to abseil down the spinnaker tower in July this year for Headway Portsmouth.

I want to say a massive thank you to the team at QA Hospital for all their help. To Headway as now I have a new circle of friends and support when I need it and also to my husband Bill and family for all their support.

Headway Case Story: Matt

Hello, my name is Matt and I've survived a brain injury....

In 1996, when I was at the tender age of 11, nearly 12, I was diagnosed with a brain tumour. The location of the tumour was blocking brain fluid (cerebral spine fluid) Hydrocephalus. I had a shunt installed because of the hydrocephalus.

In 1998 I was diagnosed with a cyst which doctors told me the equivalent of a tumour. I had radiotherapy on this. Half the way through or towards the end of the radiotherapy is where things turned pear shaped. I lost my hair around the back and sides, I looked like a monk (Friar Tuck eat your hair out... What's left of it anyway). Also my walking balance got worse.

I have had a fair few operations on my head, my poor bonce but I won't bore you with the whole caboodle. My education has been slightly messed up because of this. After I went to college I did not know that I wanted to do with myself. I had no intentions of getting a job and decided to stay home. This is where I lost a lot more confidence, as if I wasn't low already, and motivation and I was very antisocial.

I first found out about and joined Headway in 2007 and I have never looked back. They have me helped me out a lot. I now even make my own way to their offices in Portsmouth which is roughly over an hour journey! I am a service user mentor for Headway on a Friday morning and my role is to make the drinks for the rest of the group. You could call me the bartender.

Upon joining Headway I am a lot more confident, a lot more motivational and better yet, I'm drawing once again. And with the help of some friends, my drawing has improved greatly. I am even selling my work! So if anyone has any photos they would like me to draw...