A life re-written A life re-written will be a campaign that illustrates how brain injury can affect anyone at any time, focussing particularly on how it throws plans into disarray, changes life goals, and even the sense of who we are.
With seven out of ten brain injury survivors and carers reporting that their mental health is worse, with anxiety and depression commonly reported, share this video to raise awareness for people living with brain injury.
New research shows more than three-quarters of brain injury survivors (78%) have had to change their life goals because of their brain injury
Types of goals that needed to be changed varied, but often related to:
- Career prospects
- Retirement plans
- Sports and hobbies
- Undertaking further studies
- Getting married, having children or becoming a grandparent
- Travelling
- Owning one’s own property.
Brain injury: A life re-written
As part of the campaign, we launched a set of surveys to explore what contributes to the experience of life feeling so changed after brain injury. The surveys contained both quantitative and qualitative questions to gather experiences from people with lived experience of brain injury on how their lives had been changed by the injury.
The surveys were completed by a total of 3,693 people affected by brain injury. Of these, 2,406 were brain injury survivors and 1,287 were family, partners, friends and carers of survivors. Here are some key findings, and a selection of quotes from survey respondents.
Explore the results in the infographic below, or download the full report or a short-form summary to explore the results.
BBC The Traitors star Andrew Jenkins fronts 'A Life Re-written'!
We are thrilled that BBC The Traitors star Andrew Jenkins has taken part in this year's Action for Brain Injury Week campaign!
Andrew said:
“Headway – the brain injury association is an amazing charity doing amazing things to help people rebuild their lives after brain injury. I’m delighted to support this year’s Action for Brain Injury Week and help tell the story of others who have had their lives re-written by brain injury.”
Support the campaign
During ABI week, whether you're an individual or an organisation, we encourage you to highlight the subject of brain injury by sharing your support, your lived experience, and your fundraising events and activities across email and social media.
We have put together this digital toolkit where you can access everything you need!
Our thanks to our campaign sponsors
Thank you to Irwin Mitchell for their sponsorship and to TBI Media for making the campaign films for free. Your support has truly helped to improve life after brain injury.
Headway was delighted to be featured on The Live In Care Company's podcast discussing the challenges of raising awareness and the aims of the campaign.
Explore the campaign
David's story A Life Re-written
As part of Headway's ABI Week 2024 A Life Re-Written campaign, David shares his experience of how life changed after he survived a life-changing bike crash.
Find out moreAlison's story A Life Re-written
As part of Headway's ABI Week 2024 A Life Re-Written campaign, Alison shares her experience of how her life was ‘rewritten’ after a shock tumour diagnosis.
Find out moreLiz and Justina's story A Life Re-written
As part of Headway's ABI Week 2024 A Life Re-Written campaign, Liz and Justina share their experience of how life changed after Liz suffered a stroke at the age of 37.
Find out moreAndrew's story A Life Re-written
As part of Headway's Action for Brain Injury Week 2024 campaign, BBC The Traitors star Andrew Jenkins shares his personal experiences of being a brain injury survivor following a catastrophic car cras...
Find out moreA Life Re-written - brain injury survey
Our Action for Brain Injury Week 2024 campaign, A Life Re-written, has sought to explore these changes and illustrate life before and after brain injury.
Find out moreBBC The Traitors star Andrew Jenkins to front Headway’s Action for Brain Injury Week 2024
Headway – the brain injury association is delighted to announce that Andrew Jenkins is fronting this year’s Action for Brain Injury Week campaign, A Life Re-written.
Find out moreA Life Re-written in Northern Ireland
During ABI Week, Headway in Northern Ireland has once again partnered with other brain injury charities to be part of the campaign and launched an art exhibition to celebrate brain injury survivor's j...
Find out moreHelpline
The Headway helpline is a free, confidential service available to anyone with a question about brain injury - from survivors and carers to students and professionals.
Find out moreDonate
Find out morePutting the ‘I’ in identity after brain injury
Who are you? What makes you, you? Are you a teacher, a baker, a partner, a parent, a shop-a-holic, a daydreamer, a football player, a beekeeper? Are you a brain injury survivor, or a carer?
Find out moreEffects of brain injury
Find out about some of the main difficulties that arise after brain injury, together with some suggestions as to how to deal with them.
Find out moreTypes of brain injury
Find out about the different causes of brain injury, such as trauma, stroke, viral infection and loss of oxygen to the brain
Find out moreTraumatic brain injury
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is an injury to the brain caused by a trauma to the head (head injury)
Find out moreStatistics
Using hospital admissions statistics, Headway has compiled a dataset on all ABI-related hospital admissions in the UK.
Find out moreSupporting you
From local groups or branches, our Emergency Fund, Brain Injury Identity Card, helpline and much more, find out how Headway can support you after brain injury.
Find out moreBrain injury and me
Find out moreGet involved
Help us to provide vital resources and support to individuals and families affected by brain injury.
Find out moreCharity shops
Headway charity shops sell a fantastic range of quality products at affordable prices. This helps us to raise the money we need to continue our frontline services.
Find out moreCampaigns
Get involved with our campaigns to increase awareness and reduce incidence of brain injury.
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