‘Brain injury does not define me, it is my motivation’ – Headway Newry

An exciting venture was undertaken by members of Headway Newry – the brain injury association – on Friday 7th to Sunday 9th September 2012.

Sixteen people from Headway Newry participated in a three day residential weekend to the Share Centre, Fermanagh. During this three day event members from Headway Newry joined with members of Headway Ennisrone.

Both Headway Newry and Headway Ennisrone provide services to individuals living with brain injury and their carers within the Southern Health and Social Care Trust and Western HSCT areas respectively.

The residential weekend provided members with the opportunity to engage with like minded people in adrenaline packed activities over the three days. The events enabled many members to over overcome fears and barriers associated not only with the activities but with the affects of living with brain injury.

Members have acquired their brain injury through accidents, falls, assaults or aneurisms. The problems resulting from brain injury may not be obvious to other people and because of this it can often be referred to as a ‘hidden disability’.

Brain injury is for life and individuals living with brain injury and their families can face a dramatically altered life as a result.

Sheila Quinn, Development Officer spoke to Newry Times. She said, “Acquired Brain Injury has been described as a silent epidemic. People with brain injury may often look fine but can have many problems which may mean they cannot resume their previous lives or even return to live at home.”

“Some members can suffer from many problems such as memory loss, speech and language difficulties, mobility and poor concentration. The weekend at the Share Centre has afforded our members the opportunity to participate in activities that they never thought they would participate in.”

She added, “Knowing our members personally and hearing about the excitement of the weekend, not only of their personal achievements but the relationships that they have made with other Headway members, has been outstanding. Members have overcome fears of water and of heights with the added challenges of having restricted mobility.”

Headway member Moya Murphy spoke about her experience at the residential weekend break and enthused, “I achieved things I never thought I would do again. I’m no longer surviving a brain injury – I’m living a real life through Headway Newry.”

The event provided a platform for social interaction and in the evening members relaxed with a joint music and entertainment session provided by both Headway Ennisrone and Newry.

The highlight from the weekend away has been that there is a real increase in the drive and self belief among members. This has been encapsulated by the following quote from one member – “Brain Injury does not define me, it is my motivation”.

For further information on Headway Newry please contact Sheila Quinn at Abbey Yard, Newry on (028)30 833 728 or email info@headwaynewry.org

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/headwaynewry

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Posted by Emma Taylor on Sep 30 2012. Filed under Community. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry