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: Steven Kelly Share your story Share your story with us to help others affected by brain injury Q&A: Steven Kelly Take every day as it comes and believe it will get better. Steven Kelly had worked as an actor, musician, poet and comedian for the majority of his life. But following his brain injury, he worried that he’d lose his creative ability altogether. Steven, 50 and from Manchester, said: “It was a real worry for me. I feared I’d lose my creative side and all that hard work and perseverance would’ve been for nothing.” In November 2019, Steven was crossing the road on his way home from work when he was knocked down by a pushbike. He suffered a haematoma and fractured skull which left him with balance problems, dizziness, bouts of confusion and sensory impairment. In this Q&A feature, Steven discusses the challenges he’s faced following a brain injury, his love for acting and the advice he’d give others in the same situation. What makes you happy? Just the simple things. A cup of tea. I also love going to the golf club of which I’m a member. What is your proudest moment? Becoming a dad for the first time. Why is it so important to you to carry on being creative following your brain injury? It’s important because it makes me see that I’ve got a purpose in life. What’s your favourite part of being an actor? That’s a great question and one that I’ve never really asked myself. If I do have a favourite part, it’s when I get to see the finished film and my performance on screen. What is the most frustrating thing about your brain injury? Not being able to go back to work and Universal Credit. What has been the most positive aspect of your brain injury? Seeing things differently and realising who your friends are. What’s the most important lesson life has taught you? Life has taught me that if you are not happy then address the issue. Don’t be bitter, be honest and truthful. If you could give one piece of advice to others in the same situation as yourself, what would it be? Listen to advice on recovering, it’s important. Take every day as it comes and believe it will get better. Back to stories index 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 Information library Find out more Related resources About the brain Returning to work after 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