Oldbury family

Margaret and Stanley from Oldbury were relieved when their son, Mark, returned home following the breakdown of a 14-year relationship. In the time that Mark was away from them, he had been the victim of abuse and had sustained a serious brain injury.

Margaret recalled “When he came home, he was thin, and his memory wasn’t very good at all. He would stay in his room where he felt safe, hide under layers of clothing and he was too embarrassed to eat with us – so would eat alone.”

Over time, Mark’s memory, speech and physical appearance declined. After an MRI scan showed that one side of his brain had shrunk as a result of a brain injury, an employee at the local Job Centre suggested Mark visit Headway Black Country.

Mark and his dad, Stanley, were invited to look around and learn about what happens there – and things started to look up. “Mark said he thought he'd like to go, Margaret remembered. “He was excited.”

However, delays in funding meant he couldn’t attend for over 12 months. ”Everything took so long,” Margaret said. “We fought to prove he needed support. It was a very hard year, and it really set him back – he became more insular and withdrawn, he didn’t leave the house and found it increasingly difficult to walk and even eat.”

When funding finally came through, the difference was immediate. Mark began attending Headway twice a week, gaining confidence, purpose, and joy.

“He always came back smiling from Headway, he loved the coffee mornings, chatting to people, even making the drinks.

“We felt like we were getting our old Mark back. He was remembering to shower and change his clothes. He even put aftershave on for the days he went to Headway.”

One Friday in October 2024, Mark came back from Headway Black Country ‘all smiles and happy’ because he had got all the answers to the quiz right.

“I hugged him that and day told him we were proud of him. We felt like he had started to turn his life around,” Margaret said. “He was so pleased with himself!”

Mark then headed to his room for dinner.

Margaret added: “When he didn't come down with his plate like usual, I went up and found him slumped backwards, he had a piece of food stuck in his throat.”

Margaret administered CPR and was able to find a heartbeat. A paramedic soon arrived and took Mark to hospital, though sadly, despite everyone’s efforts, nothing more could be done, and Mark passed away four days later, aged 55.

Margaret said: “In the end Mark was so happy because Headway Black Country did so much for him – and we thank them with all our heart. They said if we need to talk they are always there for us.”

“Headway is so patient with everyone, they are fantastic, my only wish is that the funding had been in place straight away for Mark and that he hadn’t missed out on the twelve months we spent fighting for his place.”