Follow us: hu Improving life after brain injury Need to talk? 0808 800 2244 Donate Home About brain injury Individuals Brain injury and me Callum Maclean Share your story Share your story with us to help others affected by brain injury Callum Maclean With the card, I don't have to explain myself An ex-fisherman whose life changed following a tumour is backing a new charity identification card aimed at helping brain injury survivors explain their condition. Callum Maclean, was a commercial fisherman for more than 20 years and a qualified welding inspector before a brain tumour changed his life in 2011. The tumour left him with a number of problems such as impaired balance, affected temperament and limited mobility. These symptoms have brought many challenges, including dealing with the often inappropriate ways people react to his disabilities. It’s for this reason that he is supporting a new identification card being launched by Headway – the brain injury association. The Headway Brain Injury Identity Card is designed to help brain injury survivors explain their condition. It displays the key ways in which the survivor’s brain injury affects them and includes a 24-hour criminal legal assistance number which can be called to request legal advice or representation from solicitors trained in understanding brain injury. Callum said that the card will help him explain his symptoms and help cut down on people’s misconceptions around him. He said: “I suffer from impaired balance which can cause me to stagger and it can look as if I am drunk or under the influence of drugs. “This has drawn attention from the police and they have watched me closely as I have crossed the road or when I’m at football matches. “I have also been treated differently by staff in shops and restaurants including a comment being made by an assistant suggesting that I had been drinking.” Callum said carrying the card would bring him confidence, especially when he was feeling tired. He said: “When I am tired I struggle to communicate and this can be very stressful when I’m out on my own. “But now with the card, I don't have to explain myself to strangers, the information is all there. It's like having back up plus there is a phone number for legal assistance too just in case anything was to happen. Back to stories index Brain Injury Identity Card Our Brain Injury Identity Card provides survivors with added confidence in social situations, while helping them to get the right support if they come into contact with the criminal justice system. Find out more Brain tumour A brain tumour is an abnormal mass of tissue inside the skull, which is caused by cells dividing at an increased speed. Find out more In your area Find brain injury support in your area by searching our directory of local Headway groups and branches, specialist solicitors, approved care providers and charity shops. 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