Road Safety Week

Be seen, be safe!

Monday 19th November marks the start of Road Safety Week.  Sadly, a number of children we support sustained their brain injury as a result of a road traffic accident.  Children such as Melissa, who was knocked down on her way home from school at the age of 8.  Melissa's mum Barbara said it turned her world upside down, "Melissa was in a coma, she suffered 5 bleeds on the brain and suffered a brain injury.  We were told to say our goodbyes that day, there was little hope."

Thankfully, Melissa came round from her coma and made a very promising recovery, "very quickly she began to walk, talk, feed herself. It was like a miracle. We were getting our little girl back." Barbara adds, "Melissa is now 11 years old and continues to amaze us every day with her achievements."



Barbara, Melissa, Konar and Andy collecting their
'Inspirational Family' award from Digby Brown's
Kathleen McMonagle at our recent lunch

It hasn't been plain sailing to achieve this progress, with some difficulties at school and the issue of premature puberty to deal with in a sensitive, child-friendly fashion.  The Child Brain Injury Trust has been there to support the whole family over the years, helping them and Melissa's teachers to better understand brain injury. 

"Child Brain Injury Trust have been a valuable support and continue to be. They helped us and the school recognise her needs. They go into schools and train the teachers and worked with Melissa’s peers to give them a better understanding. They also have awareness days for professionals. They will be involved with Melissa all through school."



Wearing bright or fluorescent clothes during the day, and reflective
materials in the dark can all help.  The Child Brain Injury Trust's
project in Scotland has a number of reflective 'slapwraps'
to hand out to pupils during their talks in schools.

There are a number of things we can all do to help keep children safer on the roads: adhere to speed limits when driving; be aware of cyclists and give them plenty of room; help our children learn to stop, look and listen; make sure children are as visible as possible - especially as the winter days and nights draw in.

We have some fabby bike helmets for sale that have LED lighting the whole way around them.  Click here for more info.  A portion of the sales of these helmets will also go to funding our work.

Posted by Claire, Regional Fundraising Officer (Scotland)