Follow us: hu Improving life after brain injury Need to talk? 0808 800 2244 Donate Home About brain injury Individuals Brain injury and me Ceara's story Share your story Share your story with us to help others affected by brain injury Ceara's story It’s very important to know you’re not alone Ceara turned to Headway for support after sustaining two brain injuries which left her with lasting effects. She had her first Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA, also known as a ‘mini-stroke’) in 2016, followed by another in 2021. Despite being described as mini-strokes, for Ceara the TIAs have been anything but, leaving her with weakness and loss of motion in the right-hand side of her body, making walking difficult and causing fatigue. Her memory has also been affected as well as her speech, making it difficult to identify words and string sentences together. But following a referral to Headway’s remote support services in Northern Ireland during lockdown, Ceara has never looked back... She said: “The Zoom groups have really helped me to connect with other people, and I have been talking to members of the group outside of the sessions as well. We exchange notes and experiences. It’s amazing how much you can have in common with someone! The remote sessions are invaluable when you are trying to walk that path and cope with life after brain injury. The Zoom support sessions were introduced in 2020 to allow Headway to continue supporting people throughout Northern Ireland during the Covid-19 pandemic, but due to overwhelmingly positive feedback, the charity intends to continue offering the service alongside the re-opening of its face-to-face support groups. “I live very far away from the people in the online groups, I forget that everyone is really spread out,” said Ceara. “I probably won’t meet everyone face-to-face, but that is the benefit of Zoom. “For some, it will take a long time to pluck up the courage to go out so it’s great that the online groups will continue. I will be going to them as well as in-person so I can keep the connections and friendships that I have made.” Like many others with a brain injury, Ceara really benefits from the support of her local Headway as she navigates the long road to recovery. She said: “It’s an invaluable source of fun, friendships and information. To others in Northern Ireland with a brain injury I’d say to get out there and look for that support – it’s very important to know you’re not alone, and you can get the support you need. Headway operates remote and face-to-face support for anyone with an acquired brain injury in Northern Ireland. You can find out more here. For those who live in the rest of the UK, you can search for your local Headway group or branch to find out what support is available near you. Back to stories index In your area Find brain injury support in your area by searching our directory of local Headway groups and branches, specialist solicitors, approved care providers and charity shops. Find out more Supporting you From local groups or branches, our Emergency Fund, Brain Injury Identity Card, helpline and much more, find out how Headway can support you after brain injury. Find out more A life of lockdown? Elizabeth's story "Empathise with others and be grateful for the small things!” Find out more Friends of Headway Individual membership Join/Renew Contact Us t: 0115 924 0800 e: enquiries@headway.org.uk Help us improve life after brain injury. Donate Improving life after brain injury 0808 800 2244 Call our free helpline 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday. Or email helpline@headway.org.uk Join our online Community 27k Likes 25k Followers 3k Subscribers Privacy policy Cookies Terms & Conditions Accessibility Contact Us Resource centre Find a Headway Approved care providers Charity shops Fundraising comments, feedback and complaints Vacancies Join our mailing list Headway - the brain injury association is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (Charity no. 1025852) and the Office of the Scottish Regulator (Charity no. SC 039992). Headway is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England no. 2346893. © Copyright Headway 2021 - Site designed and developed by MEDIAmaker By clicking 'Accept All Cookies’ you agree to the storing of cookies on your device. This will help us to offer the best possible experience and develop more of the information you need. Accept All Cookies Cookies Settings