Follow us: hu Improving life after brain injury Need to talk? 0808 800 2244 Donate Home About brain injury Individuals Brain injury and me Q&A - ‘Be in the mome... Share your story Share your story with us to help others affected by brain injury Q&A: Harriet Barnsley ‘Be in the moment. This is all you have.’ Brain injury survivor Harriet Barnsley on happiness, ignorant friends and feeling free. Harriet sustained a traumatic brain injury after a speeding driver doing more than 100mph hit her while she was standing at a bus stop. She still works hard to cope with fatigue and anxiety. What makes you happy? Being alive, every moment of every day. Nature. Kind deeds. Other people’s happiness. Who in your life understands your brain injury the best? Myself. I understand what it’s like from the inside. Those close to me try to understand with the bits and pieces that they have learnt about brain injury, but after 4 years I am the one who can see clearly how it has changed me. What is the most frustrating thing about your brain injury? People not taking it into consideration when they interact with me. Friends who compare me to who I was before, who take the new me as passive aggressive and cruel. Who refuse to treat me as a brain injury survivor and so cannot interact with me anymore. How has Headway helped you? I’ve learnt a lot via the website and the support you have provided. I’ve exchanged emails with members who have always been kind and willing to help in any way they can. What is your most treasured possession? My life, my whole world, this is my most treasured possession. I value this every day. What’s the worst thing anyone has ever said to you about brain injury? ‘I refuse to treat you differently.' How do you relax? Sitting still and focusing on the deep breathes. What is the most important lesson life has taught you? Be in the moment. This is all you have. What has been the most positive aspect of your brain injury? I feel free. I used to not be very sure of myself. I was scared of judgement or upsetting others. When I realised that I can do whatever I want, as long as it's not directly hurting others, I began to enjoy every aspect of my life, even the challenges. I look forward to learning from all of life's adversities. Back to stories index Traumatic brain injury Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is an injury to the brain caused by a trauma to the head (head injury) Find out more Emotional effects Everyone who has had a brain injury can be left with some changes in emotional reaction. These can be some of the most difficult for the individual concerned and their family to deal with. 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