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Action for Brain Injury Week 2017 takes place from the 8th to the 14th May. It aims to put brain injury survivors, their carers and loved ones right at its heart by inviting them to share how brain injury has impacted their lives.
Organised by the leading national brain injury charity, Headway, the ‘A New Me’ campaign will provide a platform for those affected by brain injury to creatively share their experiences and challenge common misperceptions about brain injuries. It is also hoped that the week will raise awareness of the fantastic support provided by Headway groups and branches and its other frontline services.
In the lead up to Action for Brain Injury Week, Headway has been encouraging those with brain injuries and their family members and carers to express themselves creatively – whether that’s through a painting, photograph, poem, short film, podcast or even a letter. Throughout the week, brain injury survivors will be telling their stories and describing what life after brain injury means for them. These will be showcased on the Headway website during the awareness week.
There’s no doubt, brain injuries are completely life-changing.. The early stages following a brain injury can be extremely difficult for everyone as the effects of the injury are still developing. According to Headway, feelings of frustration and denial are very common as it starts to sink in that life has changed forever.
However, there is life after brain injury. As Headway says, with the right support, ‘many people will move on from this and reach a level of acceptance that allows them to live a fulfilling life as “a new me”, recognising that while the old person has gone, the new person can thrive.’
As one inspirational brain injury survivor contributing to the ‘A New Me’ campaign puts it, as she describes how a negative struggle can be turned around into a positive: “Devastated, life-changing, relationship-ruining/changing and loss of self. (The) early years were more about loss and anniversaries – a little negative. 15 years’ on (I’m) a wife, mother and nana… I feel I’m the luckiest person I know. I like the ‘me’ I’ve become. I’m 62 and often have more energy than my peers. Bring it on!”
At Novum Law, we work with many clients and their families who are trying to find their way in the aftermath of a devastating accident or medical blunder and are struggling with the, at times, bewildering effects of brain injury.
That’s why we are passionate about supporting the fantastic work that Headway does in raising awareness of brain injuries and providing much-needed comfort and support to survivors, their families and carers.
To find out more information about Headway and Action for Brain Injury Week 2017, visit www.headway.org.uk/get-involved/campaigns/a-new-me.
If you’ve been affected by brain injury whether you’re a survivor, family member or carer and you want to creatively contribute to the campaign, click here for how to get involved.
If you’re on Twitter, you can follow @HeadwayUK and support the campaign by using the hash tags #ABIWeek and #ANewMe .
