Follow us: hu Improving life after brain injury Need to talk? 0808 800 2244 Donate Home About brain injury Individuals Brain injury and me Relationships after br... Share your story Share your story with us to help others affected by brain injury Imogen Cauthery They didn’t know how to react to this sudden change in my personality At the age of nine, Imogen Cauthery was crossing the road with her mother when she was hit by a car. The driver, who was speaking on the phone at the time, didn’t even stop to check too see if she was alive. She sustained a major brain injury and was left with a number of problems including depression, epilepsy and memory issues. Imogen is sharing her story as part of our You, me and brain injury campaign which focuses on how relationships can be affected following a brain injury. "We need to raise loads more awareness of brain injury. It’s hidden, and society doesn’t understand the effects it has on individuals. The way relationships are affected is definitely a important one," said Imogen. Imogen said the accident significantly changed her relationships with her family. She said: "My parents became very controlling and overprotective. They didn’t know how to react to this sudden change in my personality and I spent my youth feeling trapped. "I felt that I had to be who they wanted me to be. This affected my relationship with them so much, and still does, even now. It does upset me that my relationships with some people have become tense." Imogen said her relationship with her sister also changed. She said: "I was getting all the attention and she became very jealous. We were constantly having arguments but now we are living under different roofs we get on better – we are very different people.” Imogen said that although everyone treated her differently there have been a few people who have reacted in a positive way. She said: "Some people have praised me and said they admired my resilience and strength to handle my injuries. "A close family friend in particular has always supported me. I struggle a great deal with confidence and having these people in my life has helped me so much. "I try and not see relationships differently though. Yes I've had a brain injury but I’m just the same as any other 31 year old. "I’m constantly trying to live a normal life and see it as I would have before my life changing injuries." Back to stories index You, me, and brain injury You, Me, and Brain Injury highlights the fact that brain injury doesn’t just affect the individual, but also their family, friends, colleagues, and many more relationships besides. Find out more Charity study highlights the power of positive relationships Find out more Relationships after brain injury Find out more Related resources Relationships after brain injury 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