Featured
Featured
Featured
Featured
Featured
Liam Hamilton
Hertfordshire man who sustained traumatic brain injury takes on challenge for charity
A Hertfordshire man who sustained a life-changing traumatic brain injury at work is set to run 10k for charity less than three years after his life suddenly changed.
In February 2022, at the age of 19, Liam Hamilton from Ware, Hertfordshire was working as an apprentice electrician on a building site in Bury St Edmunds when he was hit by a load that fell from a forklift truck in windy conditions.
Despite the fact he was wearing a safety hat, Liam was seriously injured. “I was resuscitated at the scene and taken to Addenbrooks Hospital in Cambridge, where I was placed in an induced coma for four days,” he said. “I then had to stay in hospital for three more weeks before being discharged to a completely 'new normal' at home.”
Now 22, Liam suffered a fractured skull, bleed on the brain, facial and rib fractures, and now has a metal plate in his head after having nearly half of his skull removed during surgery.
My recovery journey is still ongoing, it has been and still is a mental and physical battle every day
After Liam sustained his brain injury he and his family turned to UK-wide charity Headway – the brain injury association. The charity works to improve life after brain injury by providing vital support, advocacy, and information services, including to brain injury survivors and their families.
“Understanding and accepting myself after my brain injury has been hard, but the information Headway provides has made it that little bit easier for me to be able to accept and try to move forward with my new, rewritten life,” said Liam.
“I am now at the point in my recovery where I feel confident enough to attempt a 10k race for Headway – the brain injury association in October at Regent's Park, London.
"Since September 2023, I have had an intense rehabilitation team around me with therapists helping me with different aspects of my new life. I have had help from an occupational therapist, personal trainer, neuro-physio, neuropsychologist, dietician, and speech and a language therapist. They’ve all worked as a team to help me feel more confident overall as I look to getting back to some form of work in the future. Me and my personal trainer are currently working towards running the 10k.
"I want to raise as much money as I can for Headway as they have provided both me and my family with vital information and advice to help all of us understand who I am now, as dealing with the aftermath of a TBI has been a life-changing experience for everyone involved.”
Due to his injuries, Liam struggles with his short-term memory, leading him to forget small tasks or to forget what he’s saying at times.
“This has been damaging to my confidence regarding going back into the workplace and it’s going to take a lot of practice and trial and error to get used to it all again,” said Liam.
“The biggest difference and challenge I face daily is fatigue, especially mentally. Small simple chores or conversations can drain my mental ‘battery’ very quickly and it takes me a while to feel more energised, even with strict rest routines.
"The main thing I wish people could understand more about brain injury is the significant change in fatigue, if I or another brain injury survivor are feeling mentally fatigued, we find it extremely hard to have motivation for basic tasks, to have any form of conversation even with loved ones, and sometimes to be able to get up and out of bed in the morning.
"It takes a lot of effort and energy just to complete all these things which would seem basic to someone who hasn't been affected by a brain injury, so it would mean a lot to everyone who has been affected for people to understand that more.
"I hope people will be inspired by my recovery and resilience and will hopefully help me raise money and awareness for Headway and brain injuries.”
To support Liam’s fundraiser for Headway – the brain injury association, visit his GoFundMe page.
Your support powers our services. Every pound raised will help brain injury survivors, their families and carers access support.
Find out moreRuns, treks, walks, cycle rides and skydives to inspire you while helping Headway to improve life after brain injury!
Find out moreInspirational stories from our Headway Heroes - fundraising to improve life after brain injury!
Find out moreFriends of Headway Individual membership Join/Renew
Contact Us t: 0115 924 0800 e: enquiries@headway.org.uk
Call our free helpline 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Or email helpline@headway.org.uk
Headway - the brain injury association is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (Charity no. 1025852) and the Office of the Scottish Regulator (Charity no. SC 039992). Headway is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England no. 2346893.
© Copyright Headway 2024 - Site designed and developed by MEDIAmaker