Laurina Wood

Laurina Wood's life changed forever in March 2009 when a sudden brain injury left her facing years of memory loss, hospital visits, and the challenging task of rebuilding her life.

Now, 15 years later, Laurina is preparing to participate in the inaugural Headway Charity Golf Day. For her, this event is not just about playing a game—it’s an opportunity to raise awareness about brain injuries and connect with others who share similar experiences.

“I am thrilled to be participating in the first Headway Charity Golf Day," Laurina shared. "As someone who has personally witnessed the impact of brain injuries on individuals and their families, this cause holds a special place in my heart.”

Ahead of the big day, Laurina shares her story of brain injury.

The morning my life changed

I had been out of teaching for maybe a month, and that morning, on the way to church I had decided it was time to either find a teaching job nearer home or to retrain. I was feeling happy, motivated, and ready for the next challenge. 

It was a week or two before Easter Sunday, and that morning I was helping to set up the music at church. I bent down to fix the amplifier, stood up, and my head came into contact with the pointy end of the cross, which is a wooden beam fixed to the wall.

I stood there dazed. Later, a nurse from the church said I wasn't right and for her husband to take me straight to hospital.  From then on, I was in and out of hospital with tests and scans and all the while my memory dropped out. I talked it out and then forgot.

That was 15 years ago. The doctors said that I would either get better, or I wouldn't, the brain is complex, and time will tell.

Maybe retrain?

I found myself in Australia doing bible school. The doctor there put me through mindfulness and said to pray in the park. The church I studied at provided a student counsellor for a year, and even a chiropractor gave me free treatment.

Things were looking up, but then I came back to England. It’s hard for me here with flashing lights in the winter. It’s hard for me to stay focused, motivated and positive.

Finding Headway

"At work, a couple of colleagues have connections with their local Headway charities and have chatted about charity days that they have been involved with, and they have invited me to one of their local Headway meetings.

"I was surprised at how many people know about and have used Headway charities, I think it’s a great thing to be involved in and I’m grateful for the support given."

Headway Charity Golf Day

I've been thinking of playing golf for a couple of years and then a little before Christmas, I noticed Headway advertising the Golf Day.

March marked 15 years since my head injury and I figured it'd be nice to do something and maybe acknowledge that the life I'm looking backwards for really isn't there anymore.

To be honest, I thought Golf would be like tennis, you hit it a few times and then go watch. This I was told, is not the case. So, in January I booked some lessons. I chose a club that looked pretty as I was convinced I would not like golf but would stick it out until September. Boy was I wrong!

Since the very first lesson, I found enjoyment in the game. I've read their magazines and many, many books from the local barter shop. One book said that golf is an inner game, that you don't relax to play golf, but you relax and play. The inner, mental, and spiritual side has helped with the head injury.

I was concerned that with memory loss I would pay for a lesson and then when a glitch happened, I'd forget the previous learning. This was not the case. Last week, for example, I had been having problems with the head injury and so when I went to play, my strength was gone, and I couldn't do what I had learned. However, they teach repetition and on being shown again I quickly came to where I was progressing.

“I find that the game helps my concentration, and I have noticed memories come back that did not know were lost.”

I've been fundraising for the Golf Day and have had a load of support from friends and family.  I can now go around a course without making too many divots and enjoy it.

I’m looking forward to showing my supporters a picture from a fun (and sunny) day. I hope to connect with others in the same boat as myself and to enjoy the game I’ve started to love.

Join Laurina in supporting brain injury awareness by contributing to her fundraiser for the Headway Charity Golf Day. Every donation makes a difference in helping individuals like Laurina on their journey to recovery.

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