Follow us: hu Improving life after brain injury Need to talk? 0808 800 2244 Donate Home About brain injury Individuals Brain injury and me Joanne Wood - Who Share your story Share your story with us to help others affected by brain injury Joanne Wood What’s this tumour doing in my brain, why can I not just, stay the same? When an undiagnosed brain tumour led to a seizure, Joanne Wood was left unable to talk. Over time her speech returned, but she still regularly sees a speech and language therapist to help her improve. "Sometimes my words slur and mix, sometimes they disappear altogether," said Joanne. But after joining a creative writing group, Joanne found a new way to express how feels when spoken words fail her. Her poem 'Who' talks about the challenges of coming to terms with the lasting effects of her brain injury. Who is this person I see, looking back from the mirror at me? She looks so very similar to me, but something different, not meant to be. Some change, is it fear I can see in her face? A worried look, I no longer fit in this place. The joy and fun has disappeared for a while, from my face, it’s gone that smile. Full of doubt, fear and pain, nursing a poorly and broken brain. I don’t understand why this would happen to me, why God, a brain injury? Is it to learn a lot in this time of trouble, gosh it’s burst my happy life bubble. Everyday fear, worry and pain, my world is changed, I’m not the same. I always am looking for what is good, but there’s this worry of being misunderstood. A brain that’s mixed up, is hard to live with, questions, thoughts going round, what if? What’s this tumour doing in my brain, why can I not just, stay the same? Was I too busy, am I to blame? brought on this tumour, oh the shame. Well I’ve been stopped in my tracks, looks like there’s no going back. Learning to live now in a different way, adapting everything in every minute of the day. I still have determination to take me far, there’s setbacks, tears, shouts of arghh! When I’m tired the speech goes, slurred words just won't flow. Embarrassed my words are all mixed up, can you understand me, am I abrupt? Sometimes the filter goes from my brain, I say things I regret like I am in pain. I hate this vulnerable person I’ve become, but then realise I am so more blessed than some. Because I am surrounded by people who hold me strong, they’ve made me feel, I still belong. So every step I take along this hard way, I know I am being championed on everyday. This is a massive blessing to me, as I discover what’s meant to be. I can’t say that this, is , or will be ok, but I can say, I’ve been loved and encouraged in a very special way. Back to stories index Communication problems Communication problems after brain injury are very common. This section goes into detail about some of the communication issues that may arise after brain injury. Find out more Creative expression 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