Work with brain injury victims is recognised

A Perthshire mum, who has dedicated the past two decades to supporting those with brain injuries, has been nominated for a national award.

Evelyn Menzies (68) from Dunkeld saw her life change forever in 1998 when she received a devastating phone call.

Her son Niall was fighting for his life after being involved in a car accident while on holiday in South Africa.

Niall was left in a coma for 13 weeks and when he eventually returned home to Perthshire, he had to learn all of life’s most basic things, such as walking and talking.

Evelyn ended up becoming his full-time carer and life became very hard.

She said: “Niall didn’t even know how to swallow when he came out of his coma so the road back to some form of independent life was very long.

“It was a very dark time and as a family we were all very badly affected.

“Things were made even worse when we realised that there wasn’t much support from the government.”

Now, Evelyn has been nominated for the Stephen McAleese outstanding contribution to Headway award.

She said things were able to improve for her and her family after discovering her local Headway group, which helps to support people with brain injuries.

Evelyn now volunteers for the charity as its chair.

She continued: “Finding Headway was a lifeline for me and my family.

“We were able to not only get support but also provide advice to other people going through what we did.

“It was a wonderful feeling to realise there were people who understood, who could lend a hand and listen.”

Having been a volunteer and a member at Headway Perth and Kinross for the past 16 years, she has helped to create new services which help people come to terms with the effects of a brain injury.

She has also represented the charity at national events, even speaking about the issue in the Scottish Parliament.

Evelyn will find out if she has won the award on Friday, December 6, when she will attend a glittering ceremony at the InterContinental Hotel in Mayfair.

Joyce Cattanach, development officer at Headway East Lothian, nominated Evelyn for the award after working alongside her on a number of projects.

When Joyce told Evelyn she had been nominated for the award, she broke down in tears.

Joyce said: “Evelyn’s passion to support Headway and those affected by brain injury is endless, so I’m delighted that she has been shortlisted.

“Despite caring for her own son and the pressures that brings, she has become a great friend to many of the service’s users and a great ambassador for Headway in both her local area and nationally.

“She is a star and deserves to be recognised as one by all who have the pleasure of meeting and working with her.”