It had been a typical day for Paul – until it wasn’t. He had been to work and felt fine. But when he went up to bed, he had a stroke.

A devastated Trish, called for an ambulance and Paul was taken to hospital while she followed behind.

Nothing could prepare her for the news that awaited her.

Paul had suffered a massive breed on his brain while in the ambulance and the doctors said that there was nothing more, they could do for him.

Doctors didn’t expect Paul to make it through the night and Trish was told to prepare for the worst.

However, Paul defied the odds. He pushed through the crucial 24 hour danger zone.

And against the odds, he continued to fight.

But as the reality of his situation began to set in, Paul struggled.

Paul spent 12 weeks in Hospital. When he returned to his home, he realised what had happened to him and he admits that every day, he wanted to die.

Paul could only take 1 or 2 steps and he needed a wheelchair. He had great difficulty with his memory and he couldn’t communicate at all due to aphasia*.

Paul’s story truly demonstrates the lack of a pathway for people leaving Hospital after suffering a brain injury.

They are sent away as an entirely different person with different needs and abilities than before. And have to learn how to navigate this new world.

That’s why your support is so vital.

Acquired Brain Injury Ireland Rehabilitation Assistant, Anna was there to support Paul in achieving his goals.

And his goal was to set up a group for people living with aphasia. People just like him.

Anna worked with Paul and Trish to support him in setting up ‘Talking Heads’.

Paul has transformed. He can trust that Anna and Acquired Brain Injury Ireland are here and will provide honest and reliable support.

Your generosity enables our team to do this every day for Brain Injury Survivors. Thank you.

*Aphasia is language loss after a brain injury and impacts a person’s ability to communicate.