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“Oxford Head Injury Services has changed my life, and has really helped me on my road to recovery. Without Headway, I do not believe I would have progressed as far as I have, and I finally feel like I’m getting my life back”

My Story – Andrew Baker

“I’m Andrew and I’m 27. I’ve been coming to the Center since early 2012. I know the ‘Tuesday’ group really well and love the way each one of us is different and unique. I enjoy the banter, laughs and humour we share and I have made some good friends. It’s really good to meet other people in similar situations that have survived brain injury and deal with everyday   battles. I feel it has really helped me. Yoga is one   therapy that I really enjoy— Loueze the instructor is lovely. Then there’s Patrick who makes physiotherapy so much fun. All the staff are friendly and helpful —and I love my Headway family. I suffered a brain injury at birth in June 1988 resulting in a wide range of medical problems, including speech and learning difficulties for which I received special ‘learning support’ schooling. On 12 October 1996, I was knocked over at school and suffered a bump to the head. At first the doctors  ignored it, but three years later I started suffering from headaches. A scan confirmed that I had a form of haematoma. At the age of 12 I underwent an operation and, despite  complications during surgery, pulled through. Thanks to those miraculous doctors I am here today—but  rehabilitation is a long road of ups and downs.  Oxford Head Injury Services has changed my life, and has really helped me on my road to recovery. Without Headway, I do not believe I would have progressed as far as I have, and I finally feel like I’m getting my life back. I would love to be like any other 25 year old’ but this will take time. With Headway’s help and through my physiotherapy programme, I might  hopefully be able to kick a football about, or even run again. That would be fantastic.  Despite all the ups and downs and the daily yo-yos that having a brain injury can bring, it’s great to just try and carry on with a positive, cheerful approach.”

You can’t comprehend how confused and traumatised you are after such a terrible thing happens to your family, and how relieved you are that Headway is there to offer you support, hold your hand and guide you through the difficult bits.”

“When my wife came round she didn’t know who I was or remember the children. She was like a blank canvas. Her personality was different which was really hard for me and for our older children because they remember her before the accident and know that she is not the same.  Her short-term memory was severely affected; I remember the stress and anxiety I felt when she kept repeatedly asking me where her handbag was and I would answer her, “It’s by the bed”, again and again. She had mood swings which impacted on the whole family.  It’s not just the physical changes: the mental changes are even harder to deal with. I was told about Headway and made contact; a CSW came to visit me. You can’t comprehend how confused and traumatised you are after such a terrible thing happens to your family, and how relieved you are that Headway is there to offer you support, hold your hand and guide you through the difficult bits.”