Imogen's story

I’ve lived with brain injury nearly my whole life after being hit by a car at the age of nine. I was in a coma for two weeks and was left with a host of symptoms I still experience today.

It completely changed the future I thought I would have. I was happy at school, top of the class. I was especially good at maths and had a very good relationship with my family.

But following the injury, the relationships I had with my parents and sister completely changed. And the severity of my symptoms meant I missed lots of school. I didn’t have any ‘teenagehood’ and my mental health really suffered.

16 years later, when I was 28, I underwent a brain operation to try and treat the epilepsy. The procedure caused a haemorrhage in my frontal lobe. I can’t describe the pain of it – I was told I would’ve died within the hour had it not been detected so quickly.

Because of both injuries, I have no visual memory, my ability to filter language is impaired (I swear and say inappropriate things often which is really humiliating), I have learning difficulties and the epilepsy is uncontrollable. I can’t drive, and I struggle with technology so have to rely on a pen and paper. It’s also impacted the types of work I’m able to do and I’ve experienced lots of discrimination which has affected my confidence.

It was back in 2013 that I first heard of Headway. I wanted to do some volunteering –I began helping at my local Headway, which felt like the right fit given my experience. I really enjoyed it because I was meeting other people who have brain injuries who really understand the impact.

And from there, I also discovered the Headway UK helpline, which I still use now. In the days following a seizure, I’m left with an immense feeling of fear. I live alone and get very scared.

And in the time between seizures, it's so reassuring to know that it’s there when I need it.

I also have the Headway Brain Injury ID Card – which I absolutely honour! It's so visible and lists my epilepsy and all my difficulties. Brain injury can be a hidden disability which is still so misunderstood and sometimes ignored. Just carrying my brain injury ID card in my purse gives me confidence and helps people know and understand that I need support.

After the haemorrhage when I was 28, I became fascinated with neurology and how the brain works. I read a lot of the information on the Headway UK website and it inspired me to learn more about the brain and how to take care of it. It’s helped me understand myself, my injury and how to manage my various conditions much better.

30 years on from the incident which caused my initial brain injury, I’ve learned to enjoy the life I have. There are still times of sadness, but I’ve found new purpose and take more risks which has led me to so many interesting places. I’ve learned a good life is possible.

Headway has given me so much support to manage life with a brain injury. I’ve managed to rebuild my confidence, and I now know I’m not alone, and that my brain is special because it has been through so much. I guess you could say I feel proud of it! It’s so important that Headway’s services are not just here today, but can continue in the future, too – because people like me depend on them so much.

Stories like Imogen’s are only possible because of ongoing support from people like you. A monthly gift helps Headway UK be there for more people rebuilding their lives after brain injury.