On August 4th 2019 we received the worst phone call we could ever of imagined. Our Dad Andrew had been in a road accident on his motorcycle and was currently being air lifted to Birmingham Queen Elizabeth hospital.

As we arrived at the hospital we were relieved to find out he was still alive. It was described to us as a miracle and he was never supposed to make it to the hospital. We like to believe it was because my Dad was strong, he was a staff sergeant in the army back in the day after all, and of course a very stubborn man. He never knew he was beat. Of course the reality is it was the courageous work of the air ambulance team, the first responders and the staff at the hospital.

For many weeks after he remained in critical condition, his brain had severe swelling from the accident and it was only then we started to realise that the difficult part was yet to come.

Our Dad Survived the accident but had suffered severe brain damage. This was extremely hard to process and we both went through a time of denial, believing we would get him back in some way.

Luckily there was Headway. From the moment we got to the hospital we received the support we needed. They sat in with us as doctors explained the injuries Dad had suffered. They prepared us for all possible outcomes and helped us understand what it is like living with a brain injury. They assisted us in getting him moved to a rehab centre closer to where we lived so we could visit him more regular.

Unfortunately we never got our Dad back in any way. He remained in a vegetative state until his death 04/12/21. We never got to say good bye, he never got to watch his grand kids grow up and he never got to say good bye to his mother who cherished him until the very end. Some of these subjects among others were very hard to deal with and still are from time to time but its reassuring that there is Headway. They are there to help and support you always, from confidential helpline to group support systems no one needs to go through this alone.

Our case was just one outcome, many people continue to live a life with a brain injury and they require organisations like headway to help and support them in there daily lives. For most of us including ourselves its something we take for granted but you never know when you might get that phone call or know someone that does.

08/09/24 we will be running in the Great North run and we would be very grateful if you can help us reach our goal and raise money for Headway.