I was on holiday in Malta when I had my stroke. After a short stay in a hospital in Malta (where the staff were brilliant), I was taken back to the UK by air ambulance. As well as a stroke, I also had a heart attack and pneumonia. I stayed in the hospital for over three months before going home.…
I worked in Luton as a grocer, a factory worker at Skefko, and Asda Dunstable until my stroke at aged 58. As part of my recovery, I looked into services I could attend, but I found they were geared towards the elderly. Being quite young, I did not feel I belonged. I found out about Headway Luton and I liked…
Before my brain injury, I was a chemical analyst working with medical devices. I am passionate about encouraging young people to get into science so I became a science technician in a local high school. I set up a science club with the aim of making people realise how fun science can be. In 2016 I suffered from Autoimmune Encephalitis…
I am 58 years old, born and bred in Luton. I always wanted to become an engineer, but there were not that many opportunities when I was leaving school, so instead I became a mechanic with the view it was only temporary. Forty-two years later, I am still a mechanic! In 1986 I was one of the first employees at…
When I was 14, I was knocked over by a hit and run driver. I was in hospital for about a month. I had to relearn how to walk, talk, write – everything. The professionals said it was likely never be able to work. I felt demotivated and had very low confidence. I first came into contact with Headway when…
On 13th October 2021, we held our official launch of the opening of our new day centre service in Houghton Regis.
Prior to attending Headway, I had a relatively normal life. I worked part time helping with the book-keeping at my parent’s business.
I had a haemorrhage stroke in 2015 when I was 52. One day I woke up and felt woozy. I felt like I wasn’t part of the world.
I had my stroke when in my early 40s. At Headway Luton, I join in the arts class taught by Kym.
This poem is quite melancholy. It represents the memory loss and internal struggles Barnie has experienced after his brain injury.