Brain injury survivors get guiding light

A SUPPORT group for survivors of brain injury and their families is being set up in North East Lincolnshire.

Grimsby Headway will be launched with a Drop In Day on Friday, October 24 at Grimsby Town Hall.

The branch will be part of Headway – the brain injury association, which is the leading UK charity dedicated to the care and support of those affected by brain injury.

The group, run by volunteers, with support from the national organisation and health professionals, is keen to offer information and support with regular business and social meetings.

It will be chaired by accident victim Mark Griffin

He was involved in a road traffic accident in July, 1999, in which he suffered substantial brain injures.

Mark, who lives at Holton-le-Clay with his wife Christine was in a coma for two weeks and then spent three months in a specialist rehabilitation unit in Lincoln.

He said: "I was lucky to have the support of my family, private rehabilitation and an ongoing support worker – a luxury many do not have available."

He added: "Headway is not only for people like me with a traumatic brain injury but it is also for people who have acquired brain injury through illness and disease".

"We welcome anyone affected, either directly or indirectly, to attend the launch."

Ann Hurley, Yorkshire Regional Co-ordinator, the mother of a brain injured son, said "We have been looking to set up a support group for a long time in this area but due to the excellent relationship now forged with the North Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus and a number of pro-active survivors and carers, the timing feels ideal"

Other Grimsby Headway supporters have suffered brain injury through multiple sclerosis and severe brittle asthma.

The drop-in-day will be held at Grimsby Town Hall, on Friday, October 24, at 10am to 2.30pm.

Contact Mark Griffin on (01472) 598139 or Kathryn Hudson, treasurer (01472) 316622 for more information.