In 2017, Liam was cycling in a charity event when he was hit by a car—just 100 metres from the finish line. The accident left him unconscious. He lost all memory from 15 minutes before the collision to almost two weeks afterwards. 

After the crash, Liam was diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome. Determined to return to normal life, he went back to work, but things weren’t the same. He struggled with memory loss, fatigue and poor concentration. Despite his employer adjusting his duties, the symptoms persisted, slowly eroding his confidence. 

He later took a new job at a local school, hoping for a fresh start, but the same challenges followed. After a year, he stepped away from the role. 

At a routine check-up, a neurologist finally gave Liam the clarity he needed: “You have acquired a brain injury. You’re going to experience things like this.” It was the first time someone had acknowledged what he was going through. 

Liam is not alone. Every day in Ireland, 52 people acquire a brain injury. Many are discharged from hospital without information, support or a clear path forward.  

Liam’s journey of recovery began when he was referred to Acquired Brain Injury Ireland’s Case Management service. With support from his Case Manager, he was connected to a network of local services— such as psychology, occupational therapy, speech and language, physiotherapy and social groups. For the first time, he had someone by his side to help him understand what had happened and guide him through what came next. 

He joined our Community Rehabilitation service, where he began learning strategies to manage memory loss and fatigue. With guidance, he started using a diary and calendar to plan his day, track appointments, and build in time to rest. These small changes made a big difference. 

He also started attending weekly social groups, where his confidence slowly returned. When the Meath Clubhouse opened in 2023, Liam was one of the first to join. 

At first, he was unsure. 

That small step led to something bigger. At the Clubhouse, Liam discovered a passion for painting—something he’d never tried before. Now, he creates beautiful Christmas cards and even sells them to raise funds for Acquired Brain Injury Ireland. 

He takes part in a wide range of activities—gardening, baking, digital skills and art classes. Each activity gives structure to his week. Most importantly, he’s found a place where he feels valued and understood. 

Ann, who runs the Clubhouse, remembers gently encouraging a hesitant Liam to try an art class—something far outside his comfort zone. To her delight, he gave it a go… and absolutely loved it.

Today, Liam is a passionate advocate, sharing his experience to raise awareness about brain injury and the importance of specialist support.

Thanks to support from services like ours, Liam has found purpose again.  

But many more people are still waiting for help. Across Ireland, access to brain injury services often depends on where you live. People are placed in nursing homes—not because it’s right, but because there’s nowhere else to go.

Your support helps someone like Liam feel understood, supported, and never alone. It empowers survivors to rebuild daily routines, understand their injury, and rediscover purpose.