Our main aim during Action for Brain Injury Week is to raise awareness of childhood acquired brain injury. Many people are unaware that an accident or illness during childhood can go on to have long lasting consequences as it affects a child’s brain development. Many families who are struggling with these consequences are unaware that the Child Brain Injury Trust is here to help. Please share our stories this week – help us reach them, and help us continue to support them. Take action!
Today we're sharing Laurie McGinley's story...
While getting ready for school one morning at the age of nine, Laurie suffered an intense fit. He was rushed to hospital and found to be suffering from viral encephalitis.Laurie had to undergo emergency surgery to relieve the pressure on his brain and went through weeks of hospital care. After his initial recovery, he then required months of mental and physical rehabilitation as well. Laurie had been left with mild cerebral palsy – and little self-confidence.
Maggie, Laurie’s Mum, found out about the Child Brain Injury Trust and got in touch to see if we could help. As he really enjoyed playing football, our Child and Family Support Coordinator Mary introduced him to the Scottish Football Association’s disability squad. He never looked back!
He won a place in the Scotland Cerebral Palsy Football Team, representing his country in dozens of games and being crowned Scotland’s top goalscorer at the Cerebral Palsy World Cup in 2011. Laurie is a defender in the team, currently rated fifth in the world and fourth in Europe.
He has also gained a degree in sports and active lifestyle promotion at Glasgow Caledonian University, graduating in 2012, and gives up a lot of his spare time to coach football to youngsters at a number of local clubs. This summer Laurie plans to travel to the United States to advance his coaching skills so he can teach pro-youth teams.
During Action for Brain Injury Week Laurie, with the help of his colleagues, has arranged a fundraising day at the St Leonards Tesco store in East Kilbride where he works part-time. On Saturday 18th May there will be bag packing, a tombola and a raffle with some great prizes from top Scottish football clubs. Laurie told us, “Raising cash for the Child Brain Injury Trust is my way of giving something back.” Sounds like it’s going to be a great day!
If you would like support or more information, contact our helpline on 0303 303 2248 or helpline@cbituk.org.
If you'd like to get involved in taking Action or supporting our work, please email Emily Honey.
