Semi-fit book editor whose idea of athleticism is stretching to a second bottle at lunch does some running.

Four months ago my partner, Ana-Maria, was involved in a road-traffic accident. My diminutive French girlfriend wrestled with a speeding motorbike and ended up in intensive care; the bike was a write-off, however, meaning strictly speaking she was victorious. Alongside the fractured pelvis and broken cheekbone, she sustained a severe head injury, the legacy of which is still felt today. It is only through the unwavering support of the NHS and charities such as Headway East London that we have been able to negotiate the terrifying and bewildering range of cognitive jams and glitches from which Ana suffers. It has been an emotionally exhausting time for us both – from the slow rebuilding of Ana’s shattered memory to the still daily fights with her crippling mental fatigue – yet we are relatively fortunate: Ana will, in time, make a good recovery. There are many who won’t, and so there are many loved ones who face a lifetime of being carers. Headway East London is a community who supports both survivors of brain injuries and their families; it is a vital service that allows all those affected to feel human again. This is why I am pulling on the running spikes, and this is why I am asking you to pull out your loose change. Thank you.   

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