Follow us: hu Improving life after brain injury Need to talk? 0808 800 2244 Donate Home About brain injury Individuals Brain injury and me Phillip Cragg Share your story Share your story with us to help others affected by brain injury Phillip Cragg My brain injury affects me now more than ever. Phillip Cragg was just 20 years old when his life was turned upside down because of an accident at work. Phillip, now 38, was working at an independent plumbing and heating supplies company when two pallets of radiators fell from the back of a lorry and onto him. He said: “I cut my knees and ankles open, but more seriously, my head. I had a right frontal lobe contusion and the following month I began having seizures and was diagnosed with epliepsy.” Phillip’s Glasgow Coma Scale score fell from 15 to 14. “At first, my brain injury didn’t affect me – I didn’t know what to look out for,” he said. Phillip returned to work shortly after but faced some unexpected challenges as a result of his brain injury. He said: “I’d always had a good work ethic and obviously needed money, so I went back. But I started making mistakes on the job and forgetting things because of my new memory problems. “I eventually left the company because of the tensions of me filing a claim against them and gained employment elsewhere. But I still struggled, my epilepsy wasn’t under control, so I left in October 2003 and haven’t been able to return to work since.” Despite hoping this would reduce the impact his injury has on his daily life, Phillip is still struggling to manage its effects. He added: “My brain injury affects me now more than ever. I feel about 90 years old now – I’m fatigued all the time. I try to keep active at the gym but it’s hard. “After the accident I filed a litigation claim and had all sorts of support; case managers, solicitors, social workers, and now, nothing. My best friend always said: ‘Live every day as if it’s your last, you nearly died once. Every day isn't a good day but when you do have good days, ENJOY THEM! Back to stories index Helpline The Headway helpline is a free, confidential service available to anyone with a question about brain injury - from survivors and carers to students and professionals. Find out more Returning to work 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 Related resources Returning to work after brain injury Self-directed support 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