I was seventeen years’ old and enjoying a family Christmas holiday when I sustained a brain injury. I fell off a 21ft balcony and was instantly comatose after landing straight on my head, causing a traumatic brain injury called an Axonal injury
The bleed on my brain was diffused, meaning it was an injury to the whole of the brain, rather than just part of it. I was in a coma for 16 days and was in the hospital for two months before needing to live in a rehabilitation for two years.
It was grinding - I really struggled with my speech and had to learn to walk again. I've got videos of me talking and my voice sounds was so weak at the start before it slowly it came back. I also found that things like managing anger became much harder.
But over time, I built new relationships with people, and began to rediscover myself again so that by the time I left the rehabilitation centre, I was ready to find some routine and purpose again. So I thought ‘right, I want to raise money for other people with brain injuries.’ And I also started volunteering at my local Headway shop. I know and understand the reality of life with a brain injury – and I hoped others might be able to relate to it.
I did a few running events before deciding to take on the London Marathon in support of Headway UK. It was a brilliant experience – it’s so good hearing people call out your name as you go round the course! And it was amazing seeing how willing people were to help me fundraise.
Having that purpose – fundraising, taking part in events – has really motivated me and given me something to focus on. I’m now a fully qualified personal trainer. Life is good!
“It’s so important that people fundraise for Headway UK, and understand more about brain injury. Because for so many others like me, in similar situations, you really do need specialist help and support at the right time – Headway can give you that.”