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Three of our service users met with young people from the Youth Justice Agency today in an emotional and powerful meeting in which they shared their stories and explained how brain injury, resulting from assault, has changed their lives. 
The day was organised as part of Action for Brain Injury (ABI) week which runs from 14 - 18 May. We invited some of the young people involved in the Youth Justice Agency along to our premises to hear the stories of some of our service users to demonstrate first-hand the serious consequences of acquired brain injury.
Three of the participants at Headway Belfast shared their story with the young people and answered questions on how it has turned their life upside down.
Hugh McInally was the victim of assault four years ago and was one of the brave participants who took part today, he said : “Having a brain injury completely changed my life overnight. I had to come out of work, my concentration became really poor and I lost the strength in my right side which caused me problems physically. I was no longer able to play football and my young children couldn’t understand why I wasn’t able to be as active. Friends started to treat me differently too, it was really hard to come to terms with.
 He added: I’m really glad to have had the opportunity to talk to these young people today and hopefully get a powerful message through to them. The effects of my brain injury aren’t obvious to others, but although they are very much hidden they are still a reality.’
Brain Injury is the biggest cause of disability globally and around 2,000 people are affected every year in Northern Ireland. The biggest cause is road traffic accidents which accounts for 40% but with one in every ten brain injuries caused by assault it is still a very prominent issue and one which Fiona McCabe, CEO of Headway Belfast, feels needs to be addressed.
‘It was a big decision for us to invite some of the young people from the youth Justice agency but when we put the idea forward to some of our participants, they were keen to share their story of how their brain injury dramatically changed their life.
She added: Not all brain injuries are a result of an accident, a significant proportion are preventable. It’s a very important message we are sending out to these young people and hopefully a very hard hitting message as well that brain injury changes lives forever. Today, our service users have demonstrated real bravery in telling their story and very openly and honestly answered a range of questions about their injury.’
Lynne Young, Practitioner with the Youth Justice Agency said the day was very beneficial for the young people: “We’re very grateful to Headway Belfast for inviting us along today and to the three brave men who shared their story with us. A key part of our work is to ensure the young people understand the serious and life changing effect their actions can have, as much as we try to teach that, seeing it first-hand has been a real eye opener for them.’
ABI week takes place all this week from 14 – 18 May and we have lots organised to promote the understanding of acquired brain injury, its effects and causes.
Throughout the week we will be visiting schools across Belfast bringing them our ‘Cycle Helmet Show’ which highlights the importance of wearing a helmet as well as our ‘hats for Headway’ day which is a fundraiser taking place on Friday 18 May.
For a full list of schools we are visiting and further details on what’s happening during ABI Week click here
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There's lots of ways you can get involved with Headway Belfast.
She added: ‘Wearing your hat to school or work is a fun way to get involved in ABI week and also a great way of raising funds for Headway Belfast. All schools and organisations can get involved by wearing your hat to school or work on Friday 18 May and donating just £1, we’ll provide collection buckets – it really couldn’t be simpler.’
