I had a brain injury 3years ago which damaged my temporal lobes, a bit of the brain which controls your emotions. I’ve been very anxious since then about going outdoors. I didn’t even feel confident about crossing the road here outside the house. My legs just locked up with anxiety.

We were put in contact with the ITP through Sally and Ruth at Momentum. Karen from the project came to interview me. She listened to me (some people don’t do that) and we worked out together what we were going to do.

We started off by walking up and down the road which is in front of my house. I had to learn all the kerb drills again. Then we went down to the town and went for a walk in the woods. There were some shops in town which I felt very anxious about going into because I was well known there before my injury. I was anxious about sliding doors too. But we set a target for me going into Somerfield’s: that I would go in and walk along the length of the shop behind the tills and out the door at the other end.

Then Karen suggested that we went to Aberdeen on the bus. We worked out which was the best bus stop to get on at because busy stops aren’t good for me. I also feel better being at the front of the bus. I’ve got a bus pass and a Thistle Card which tells the driver that he or she needs to let me sit down before they drive off. I never though I’d be able to go into Aberdeen on the bus. I still need Mary, my wife, to go with me everywhere, but it’s a lot easier now thanks to the ITP.

Karen is the right sort of girl to do this work. She was always here on time. She is really good at calming me down if I get upset. If I forgot to look before crossing the road, Karen would gently put her hand across my chest to stop me. I felt really confident working with her. She’d walk in front of me, because I prefer that. I feel so much more relaxed now going out because Karen was so patient with me. I’d give here 10 out of 10.

Working with Karen has given me a real boost in confidence in other areas of my life. I’m able to go into shops in town and I’m meeting new people and sharing my experiences with other people with brain injuries. It’s been really helpful too for Mary, because she had been looking after me on her own.

Transitions is a new outreach programme offering support to people with acquired brain injury and their families throughout Grampian, delivered by Momentum in partnership with the Brain Injury Grampian (BIG) group.

By bridging the gap between hospital discharge and rehabilitation programmes such as those already offered by Momentum, Transitions aims to reduce the isolation often felt by people with a brain injury, particularly those living in remote rural areas.

The programme’s two community workers will work throughout Grampian, setting up a support network for both people with a brain injury and their families and carers, helping them to integrate into their communities and ultimately helping them move towards more independent future.

Transitions are also supported by NHS Grampian and by local authorities in Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray.

For further information please contact Community Integration Officer, Sally Sorrie on 01224 625580  or Email sally.sorrie@momentumscotland.org

Here is a peom from my best mate 'Raymond Three Pointer'.

An ode to a friend.

Bowling at the Bridge of Don.

I went bowling with my mate the other night

I played well and he played shite

I beat him by a score of sixteen

It was the saddest face Ive ever seen.       

He was so sad you could not approach

He cried all the way home on the coach

I'll give him a chance next time to beat me

Before I start I'll let him bowl three.

He has his own bowl kept by his side                                                      

Makes no differance he still throws wide

Next time we go we will have to see

Who will win? Could it be him or ME.

Will be updated on a regular basis .

                                                                                                    BrainHelp 

                                                      ( Scottish Charity No SC 035814 )