Meeting the survivors
MP VISITS HEADWAY WEARSIDE TO HEAR SOME INSPIRATIONAL STORIES
One of Wearside’s MPs heard inspirational stories from people who have battled back from serious brain injuries at a charity’s gym session.
Julie Elliott, who represents Sunderland Central, met Headway Wearside members during an activity at Sunderland University to find out more about the vital support they receive from the organisation.
Headway Wearside supports brain injury survivors, their families and carers by providing information and social activities, as well as raising awareness of acquired brain injury.
Members attend weekly sports rehabilitation activities run by the university, including gym sessions, walking football and bowling.
Headway member Stephen Sanders suffers from severe speech and mobility problems as a result of his brain injury.
He said: “I was really pleased to meet Julie and explain what it’s like to live with a brain injury, and show her how Headway Wearside helps people like me.”
When Stephen, 59, joined the sports sessions, he had been told he would never walk unaided again.
But thanks to the support of the charity as well as the university’s volunteers, he has defied all expectations and can now walk short distances unaided during gym sessions.
Ms Elliott said: “It was marvellous to see the positive impact Headway Wearside has had on so many people.”