Follow us: hu Improving life after brain injury Need to talk? 0808 800 2244 Donate Home About brain injury Individuals Brain injury and me Gary Winters Share your story Share your story with us to help others affected by brain injury Gary Winters We cried with pride when we read Gary's will Gary Winters’ brain injury stripped him of his independence at just 30 years of age. It left him reliant upon his parents, Sarah and Ron, for support until he sadly passed away 19 years later. When his family came to read his will, they were given a comforting reminder of Gary’s desire to help others. “Following his brain injury, Gary's placid, unassuming personality vanished,” said Gary’s mum, Sarah. “In its place, a forthright, determined and angry young man had arrived in our family and we had been left to navigate through life after brain injury on our own. “It took a very long time for me to come to terms with the feeling that I had lost the son I knew, but we all began to accept and understand the new, unpredictable but caring version of Gary that had emerged after brain injury. “His great sense of humour was invaluable to us all, especially when tackling his outbursts as a result of his injury.” Brain injury also left Gary with short-term memory problems and weakness down the left-hand side of his body. “Gary's new limitations created challenges for all of us,” Sarah continued. “I had so many concerns about Gary’s future and so we turned to Headway UK for advice. The charity's directory of specialist solicitors helped us find an appropriate legal deputy who stood side-by-side with us throughout his long rehabilitation and helped him regain his independence.” As part of his rehabilitation, Gary turned his hand to photography and even received a President’s Award for his work. “Gary's sister Jackie treasures the photos he took at her wedding,” said Sarah. “He even returned to Solihull College where he graduated with a HNC qualification in photography.” After living independently in his own home for 11 years, Gary tragically passed away in 2014. “It was a very difficult time for us,” said Sarah, “We took enormous comfort from the finding out that Gary had left a gift in his will to Headway in order to help people like himself lead better lives after brain injury. "We cried with pride when we read Gary's will. We had forgotten just how much he wanted to help people. Seeing Headway's name alongside close family members was a stark reminder of how, even at the very end, selflessly supporting others was close to Gary's heart. Gary (right) with his Dad and Jac "It is through this touching act of kindness we know that Gary's legacy will live on.” Leaving a gift in your will Making a will is vital to securing the future of your family and the causes that are close to your heart, yet many of us often shy away from thinking about the unthinkable. That is why Headway UK has put together a simple advice pack for anyone wishing to leave a lasting legacy by pledging a gift to Headway. Visit our wills page to find out more. Back to stories index A gift in your will Find out more Effects of brain injury Find out about some of the main difficulties that arise after brain injury, together with some suggestions as to how to deal with them. Find out more Donate 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