Lorna's story

As part of Headway's Action for Brain Injury (ABI) Week 2025 On a good day campaign, Lorna shares her experience of how life changed after falling from her horse, aged 18.   

Lorna Collins was ‘destined for glory’ in the equestrian world when a fall from her horse at age 18 saw her Grand National pursuit come to an abrupt halt.

Now 43, animal-lover Lorna doesn't remember her childhood and struggles with fatigue, dizziness and anxiousness.

Lorna landed on her head when her horse tripped over during a training session in the year 2000. She sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and developed a number of psychiatric illnesses post-injury.

“I had stopped breathing and my dad gave me mouth-to-mouth resuscitation”, she said.

“The air ambulance came and brought me to hospital where I was in a coma.

“After the brain injury I woke up with total amnesia. I forgot my life history and didn’t remember anyone around me.

“I didn’t know who I was- I forgot who Lorna was.”

Lorna’s dreams of being an award-winning jockey were shattered in that moment, but surprisingly her injury hasn’t put her off riding, and she currently still rides with young horse Moon.

Lorna said: “I represented Great Britain and was destined to be a top Olympic rider.

“My dream was to be the first woman to win the Grand National.

“I still love horses, they’re my friends. I find when I’m riding there are no thoughts, I just ride.”

Lorna actively advocates for brain injury survivors and raises awareness with her work, A Creative Transformation- a research project and practical service for people with brain injuries, centred around the art of creativity.

She is sharing her story as a part of Headway’s ABI Week, which runs May 19- 25.

This year’s campaign On a good day highlights the fluctuating nature of brain injury, with the effects manifesting differently day-to-day. Survivors may appear ‘better’ on some days and ‘worse’ on others.

A good day to Lorna includes being organised with work and enjoying her many hobbies- including writing, art and riding- and her animals.

Lorna lives in Buckinghamshire with her cat Mr Tiggers and two dogs- Foxy, a rescue from Romania, and Wilby, a Whippet.

She said: “On a good day I’m really organised and have a busy schedule. I might express myself through words or paint a picture.

“On a good day I’ll have a lovely time with my animals; I might go for a run with Wilby, my Whippet, or ride my horse.

“A Creative Transformation project is also part of my ‘good day’.”

A ‘bad day’ can see Lorna battle dizziness, fatigue and feelings of anxiousness.

“My head is cloudy because I can’t think straight, probably because I’m overwhelmed”, she said.

“I get very anxious and disorientated with my identity and not remembering my childhood.”

Inspiringly, Lorna “doesn’t regret” her TBI and said it has led to “finding value out of difficult times”.

She said: “Telling my story of recovery becomes as much as wanting to support other people as it does confirming it for myself.

“I don’t regret the brain injury- it’s given me great insight.

“Sharing my story with campaigns like Headway’s On a good day is utterly crucial and a great privilege.

“If we can educate people to be more compassionate, sympathetic and sensitive then that can only be a positive thing for everyone- not only for people with brain injuries but also the general public.”