Follow us: hu Improving life after brain injury Need to talk? 0808 800 2244 Donate Home About brain injury Individuals Brain injury and me Andrew Purnell Share your story Share your story with us to help others affected by brain injury Andrew Purnell Poetry has allowed me to revisit challenges and experiences I have been through and conquered. Like many other forms of creative art, poetry is a popular rehabilitation aid among brain injury survivors. It gives people the opportunity to express their thoughts, feelings and emotions whilst also boasting a number of cognitive advantages. Andrew Purnell is just one of many brain injury survivors who has benefitted from poetry following his injury. In 2015, Andrew suffered a grade four subarachnoid brain haemorrhage. He spent five months in hospital and a further two months in a rehabilitation centre. Following his brain injury, Andrew decided to start writing poetry. Talking about his new found love of literature, he said: "I have found writing poetry hugely inspirational and rewarding. It's both relaxing and challenging to write about brain injury in different poetic formats. Poetry has allowed me to revisit challenges and experiences I have been through and conquered. Andrew is now using his poetry to help inspire others to get creative. He also hopes that some of his work will be of benefit to fellow brain injury survivors who have experienced similar trauma. Andrew said: "If I could give one piece of advice to other brain injury survivors it would be to experiment with as many activities, groups and pastimes as possible. Keep on challenging yourself whether it be physically or mentally. It is far better to try and fail, than to not give it a go at all. Below are just some of Andrew's poems. Neuro Fatigue Neuro fatigue is a particular challenge, And is inevitable after brain damage, Try not to fight it but accept as a deficit, With time and help you can learn to manage it. Bubble Inside my bubble looking out, Wondering how this all came about. ABI you came and caused neuro damage, Accepting these deficits is not always easy to manage. A Date with an Aneurysm A date with an aneurysm is far from romantic, Most dates are fun and romance may bloom, This date normally ends in HDU and the outcome is generally dramatic, But don't be down beat as life can still be fun - not all doom and gloom. Life Goes On Irrespective of ABI life will continue, Strive to be you, and be contended, Your injury was not of your asking but can be an issue, Making the most of each moment should be recommended. If you're interested in receiving a copy of Andrew's poems, please email Headway's Press Officer. Back to stories index Send us your story Find out more Creative expression Find out more Online communities Through our Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and HealthUnlocked discussion forum, we give you the chance to connect online with other people who are affected by brain injury Find out more Related resources About the brain The effects of brain injury The effects of brain injury and how to help 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