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 enjoyed activities such as reading, listening to music, movies (I’m a comedy and fantasy sci fi fan) and playing snooker and pool at the local club. I live at home with my Mum and Dad. My brother Scott is 3 years my junior and I always enjoy spending time with him when we visit him in Manchester.
In August 2016, when I was 40, I was walking home from shopping in Dunstable around mid-afternoon and collapsed in West Street, thankfully near a bench. Two people nearby called an ambulance and I was taken to the Luton & Dunstable hospital. When I was overdue at home my parents started to try to track my whereabouts – eventually calling the hospital and being advised that I was in A&E. I was kept in for tests as I was weak and had started being sick. They thought I might have meningitis and put me in isolation. After five days of being sick, doctors suggested they run exploratory tests on my stomach with a camera. I have no memory of this but have been told they performed an emergency operation. I have a scar down my chest and stomach. They didn’t find anything wrong.
My parents arrived later that day to visit me after the camera test and were told I was in the intensive care unit. They were shocked to find me on a ventilator and linked to numerous monitors and tubes. I was in a coma due to hypoxia (low blood oxygen) during the operation which is how I acquired my brain injury. I was in a coma for nearly 4 weeks. On waking up I had lost all speech and movement – I have no memories of the first 6 weeks and it’s strange to hear my family tell me about things that happened that I can’t remember at all.
Progress at the hospital was very slow. Then one day the Acquired Brain Injury team visited to assess me and see if I could be moved to a Brain Injury Unit. I can’t remember this, but I’m very grateful that the ABI team recommended I be moved to a Unit called Oakleaves in Northampton, which specialises in the care and rehabilitation of people who have had a brain injury. I had my own room and bathroom, the centre had a coffee bar, restaurant and television room, and therapy rooms. I was given a wheelchair in my room, which my mum tried out and said was pretty nippy. I wouldn’t use it as I was scared that if I did, I might not learn to walk again. With Oakleaves constant care (and a walking frame for tall people as I’m 6’ 3”) they helped me walk again and gain confidence. The centre had a dedicated team and my experience there was really good.
Once I was more able, they moved me to a house with 4 other people each with our own room with a shared kitchen and lounge. Again, staffed with a great team to teach us all to look after ourselves re: planning shopping, cooking, cleaning, washing clothes etc and to be more independent.
My first introduction to Headway was via Oakleaves who arranged visits to the Northampton Headway centre which had a pool table, bingo, karaoke, and mosaic making and another great team. We also had trips to a workshop so we could participate in the repair and cleaning of tools which were then sent to places in need. When I was well enough to return home, arrangements were made for me to attend Headway in Luton which I still do every Tuesday and Friday.
One of the long-term effects of my ABI is that I suffer from anxiety attacks. These are very severe at the time I experience them and are debilitating for me. I’ve recently started a new medication which I’m hopeful will help.
Although I find it very hard to leave my house to go to Headway some days, I am always very happy that I tried and got there. Despite the wobbly start before I leave, I always have a really good day. I really enjoy my time at Headway, with the other clients I’ve got to know well now and of course all the lovely staff. Headway is a very important part of my week.
Michael smiling at the camera and holding a bass guitar
The program for Headway on Tuesday’s is learning to play the guitar both acoustic & bass with some singing thrown in, and before lunch various worksheets with a staff member called Claudette. Work sheets and mental exercises, and reading are Friday’s activities. In addition, sometimes cooking lessons with Rina and outings at Stockwood Park. I also helped raise some money in a sponsored walk (pre-covid). Over the years my general abilities, confidence and awareness have grown, this would not have been possible without Headway and all its dedicated wonderful staff. A big thank you to the staff and clients alike.
