Follow us: hu Improving life after brain injury Need to talk? 0808 800 2244 Donate Home About brain injury Individuals Brain injury and me I am a firm believer i... Share your story Share your story with us to help others affected by brain injury Ryan Goodenough I am a firm believer in not just speaking of the change, but actively searching to be part of it. Ryan Goodenough, 24, sustained a traumatic brain injury whilst supporting inmates in a young offender’s prison – a job he loved. He said: “It was a job I always wanted to do. I was very committed to achieving self-sustainability and to gaining experience to work towards creating my own business to help young people in the future. “I left school when I was 12 years old and taught myself most things, so I was aiming to provide young people with the help that I needed growing up but never received. That always has and always will be my aim – helping young people better themselves and working to change the narrative. Ryan’s life changed forever as he attempted to manage a dispute amongst prisoners whilst he was leading an activity on the prison's AstroTurf pitches. He said: “I don't want to go too much into the detail about what happened as I don’t wish to appear as if I have a vendetta. But an incident occurred and as I attempted to manage it, it escalated, and I was left alone with five trainees. “I was punched repeatedly and was hit with a staff radio. I walked away with no cuts, no bruises, no bleeding and I didn’t fall to the floor throughout the assault." Ryan, from Luton, had sustained a traumatic brain injury and was taken to hospital for emergency care. He was in a coma for three weeks and during intense rehabilitation had to relearn how to walk and talk, as well as basic practical skills, such as how to make a cup of tea. The brain injury has left Ryan with cognitive and fatigue issues but with lots of determination he is rebuilding his life, recently becoming a Trustee for Headway Milton Keynes. Ryan decided to share his story to help raise awareness about the dramatic impact violence can have, not just on the victim, but also on their loved ones and even the person carrying out the assault. He said: I have seen first-hand through work and personal experience how severe an impact a brief act of violence can have on everyone involved. It isn't just the victim that is affected, but the protagonist too. "Your life can change in that one moment. I've been on both sides of the coin, and neither are an enjoyable experience. Don't let 10 seconds of frustration determine your future. Ryan said he is now committed to help others and wants to be a force of good in the world. He said: "I am a firm believer in not just speaking of change, but actively searching to be part of it." 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 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 Headway Emergency Fund The Emergency Fund provides grants of up to £500 in the immediate aftermath of brain injury. 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