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Life after brain injury
MOUNTAIN - Only Girl
Chosen by Headway
Ellen McKechnie, who performs as Only Girl, wrote Mountain for her husband Jamie who sustained a brain injury in 2011. “When I perform this song, it usually brings me close to tears,” Ellen said.
TRUE ROMANCE - Asher X
Chosen by Headway
Asher Bourke’s track is based on her initial feelings as she raced to her partner Paul’s hospital bedside.
THIS IS ME (from The Greatest Showman) - Kesha
Chosen by Joanne Wood
Joanne said: “This track is very relevant when accepting the new me. No apology, this is me!”
BAT OUT OF HELL - Meatloaf
Chosen by Lilian Morris
Lilian chose Bat out of Hell because it “…rouses me up and reminds me of good times to be repeated!”
YOU BETTER RUN - Liam Gallagher
Chosen by Corey Hegarty
Why did Corey choose this song? Simple: “…just because it’s a banging rock-and-roll tune that motivates me on a bad day.”
ALBATROSS - Fleetwood Mac
Chosen by Shirley Ireland-Jones
“This song helped me focus on my breathing at a time when processing language was diffi cult,” said Shirley.
I GIORNI - Ludovico Einaudi
Chosen by Eileen Poole
This track was chosen by Eileen, who said: “Its simplicity is the perfect ‘medicine’ for my brain as there are no demanding lyrics... just beautiful, melodic piano music.”
FREEDOM - QFX
Chosen by David Bogie
While 12-year-old David was in a coma, his parents regularly played his favourite song, repeatedly asking him to identify it. When he started to regain consciousness his
first words were ‘Freedom, Freedom’, a story that’s printed on the back of the proud band’s album!
ROCKIN’ CHAIR - Oasis
Chosen by Natasha Cassidy
“This was one I listened to on repeat on the journey to and from the hospital,” said Natasha. “I always focused on these lyrics...It’s hard enough being alone, sitting here by the phone. Waiting for your memories to come and play...”
RISE UP - Andra Day
Chosen by Hayley Nye
“This song helped me discover my strength to battle through the really hard times and reminded me to never give up,” said Hayley.
TUBTHUMPING - Chumbawamba
Chosen by Sean Dolan
“I think that chorus sums up what I had to do over and over throughout the recovery,” said Sean.
BEST DAY OF MY LIFE - American Authors
Chosen by Julia Robertson
Julia: “This song has been a major theme in my recovery from brain surgery. I even created a piece of art based on it.”
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