Caring London man wins national honour

02 December 2011

A London man whose son sustained a severe brain injury 18 years ago has won a national award for dedicating his life to helping other people similarly affected.

Norman Keen, from Enfield, beat-off competition from across the UK to scoop the Stephen McAleese Outstanding Contribution to Headway Award at a glittering ceremony held at London's Dorchester Hotel on Friday 2 December. The awards, run by national charity Headway - the brain injury association, celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions of people with brain injuries and those working to support them.

In 1993, Norman Keen's son, David, was knocked down by car as he crossed the road. He was rushed to hospital and placed in an induced coma to help reduce the swelling in his brain. He had inpatient rehabilitation and eventually returned home to live with his parents, Norman and Lyn, but life for the family would never be the same again.

David had sustained a severe brain injury. As well as losing the sight in one eye, he suffered from executive dysfunction, a term for the range of cognitive, emotional and behavioural difficulties which often occur after injury to the frontal lobes of the brain. Impairment of executive functions is common after acquired brain injury and has a profound effect on many aspects of everyday life. Although he now lives on his own, he will continue to need support on a long-term basis.

For almost two decades, Norman has worked tirelessly to campaign for improved services for people affected by brain injury to ensure his son and others similarly affected receive the best possible care, support and rehabilitation to allow them to live full and active lives.

Norman was 56 when David had his accident. He took early retirement from his career at British Gas so that he and his wife Lyn could care for their son. They soon realised there was a shortage of support services in the capital for individuals and families affected by brain injury.

Norman soon got involved with Headway, the national charity that works to improve life after brain injury. In 1997, just four years after his son's injury, he was part of a small group which established Headway East London and he has been instrumental in the group's development and growth, serving on the board of trustees for the past 14 years, including in his current role of Vice Chairman.

For the first eight years, Norman was the sole fundraiser for Headway East London, securing substantial grant income that allowed the group to develop. . When it first began in 1997, there was just one member of staff. Today, more than 25 staff members, assisted by around 50 volunteers, provide help and support each week to hundreds of people in east London and the surrounding areas affected by brain injury.

Not content with helping people on a local level, Norman was a trustee of the national Headway charity for seven years. He was the main carer representative on the External Reference Group for the National Service Framework for Long-term Neurological Conditions - a government initiative designed to improve services for people with neurological conditions including acquired brain injury. Norman continues to play an active role in developing brain injury services on a local and national level. He is currently Chair of the Acquired Brain Injury Forum for London (ABIL).

The Stephen McAleese Outstanding Contribution to Headway Award is named after a Cumbrian man who passed away on Christmas Day last year, having defied his own brain injury to dedicate his life to helping others. In an emotional meeting, Norman, a friend and colleague of Stephen's, was presented with the award by Stephen's parents, John and Susan, alongside Headway Chief Executive Peter McCabe.

"Norman's dedication to helping people affected by brain injury is nothing short of inspirational," said Peter McCabe. "Brain injury can completely change entire families - not just the individuals concerned. Recognising the lack of support available, Norman has tirelessly campaigned, lobbied and fought for better services to be made available to those affected by brain injury.

"His contribution over the past 18 years has been exceptional - both on a national and local level - and he is a very worthy winner of this special award."

The Headway Annual Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions of people with brain injuries and those working to support them.

Other winners collecting their awards at The Dorchester Hotel in London were Bruce Galleway, from Essex (Volunteer of the Year), Sandy Allis from Lincolnshire (Carer of the Year), Aberdeen's Michelle Coulson (Campaigner of the Year), and Max Muteliso from Leeds (Achiever of the Year).