Retirement life for retail store manager Ashley Clements looks different to how he initially envisioned as he took on the full-time role of caring for his wife-of-50-years, Lyn.
But the Somerset native is keen to let others know that there is life after brain injury and carers can and should enjoy downtime.
Ashley is sharing his story as part of Carer’s Week 2026, which runs from June 8 -14. The annual campaign celebrates and recognises the vital contributions of unpaid carers.
Ashley’s wife Lyn sustained a hypoxic brain injury in 2014 following a respiratory arrest in hospital.
She has lived with several health challenges for many years, including scoliosis, chronic back pain, asthma and undergoing knee replacements some years after a childhood accident.
Ashley, 71, said:
“About 13 years ago she started having chest infections. She had a really severe one in 2014 and had to be put into an induced coma. While she was in that coma, she had a respiratory arrest and there was oxygen starvation to the brain, so she sustained a hypoxic brain injury.”
“She was in hospital for 10 weeks and came out with cortical blindness. Although she has vision in both eyes, her brain doesn’t see anything out of the left eye.”
Ashley says Lyn’s brain’s switching process is impaired, so what she perceives as her right side is actually her left.
She also experiences short‑term memory difficulties and struggles with processing sequences, such as recalling the correct order of the days of the week.
Three months after Lyn’s injury, Ashley made the decision to retire and become her sole carer.
The couple were subsequently allocated respite time for Ashley with Headway outreach workers visiting twice a week.
“We’ve had our Headway workers for 10 years now”, he said.
“The good thing about having Headway is I know I could go out and not have to worry about anything for a few hours because I know they are experienced with brain injury.”
Headway’s visits allow Ashley time to purse his hobbies, particularly his love of steam trains.
He said: “When I was a kid I caught a steam train to school. I enjoy the noise, smells and everything that goes with it.
“I have a train set in my garage and a simulator on the computer.
“I also love heritage railways; I often visit the ones locally where I live. I attend various steam engine galas throughout the year and enjoy nostalgic rides- I’ve had the wonderful experience of travelling on the Flying Scotsman three times!
“My other pleasure is live music- particularly Queen, Status Quo and Rod Stewart. I saw Queen with Adam Lambert in 2015, 2017 and 2023. I saw Rod Stewart and the Faces back in the 1970s so it was a great night out some 45 years later to see him doing his Great Hits tour in 2016.
“These respite days out are a welcome break from my caring duties.”
Between Headway, Lyn’s close friend and their two grown up children, Ashley was afforded some time to pursue part-time work. He secured a job working at Haynes International Motor Museum in reception and retail, overseeing visitor admissions and the day-to-day operation of the gift shop.
Ashley said:
“I want to let others in a similar situation know that when things go wrong in your life, or your life changes, you can adapt to it and make the most of it. You can’t change it; you’ve just got to work with it.”
“There are avenues like volunteering, working part time or getting a bit more involved with certain hobbies.
“Regardless of your partner’s health, there is still life after brain injury, work and / or being a carer.
“Life is for living while it’s there.”
Visit www.carersweek.org for more information and to support the campaign.
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