Action for Brain Injury Week - Thursday

Today we will hear from Katie Wightman from Prestwich, Manchester to find out how the Child Brain Injury has helped her and how she is giving something back.

Katie’s Story

“Before Megan’s accident I had never actually heard of an Acquired Brain Injury to be honest.”

Megan before her accident in 2010

A few years ago Katie’s daughter Megan acquired a brain injury after suffering 5 bleeds to the brain following being hit by a car travelling at 41 mph. Katie found about the Child Brain Injury Trust when she was struggling with Megan at home and decided to get in touch with the charity.

As a charity we can help parents understand what has happened to their child and what this might mean for the future.

“When Fiona [Regional Child and Family Support Coordinator for the North West] was sent out to us we were given lots of information and I found things that I could never really understand before a lot clearer. It is good to be able to just pick up the phone and ask for advice or just have someone with an understanding to talk to.”

Taking Action

Since becoming involved in the charity Katie has held various fundraising events and has taken action to raise awareness of acquired brain injury and to fundraise for the Child Brain Injury Trust.

Katie is an actively involved supporter who has held collections, an Easter Bonnet parade, bake sales and pub quiz nights raising around £350 from the last one that took place recently.

Action for Brain Injury Week is focused on taking action during 13th-19th May this year; however, we would like to thank Katie for her continued support. She is also planning more activities throughout the year.

‘Hope for tomorrow – today’

Megan with her sisters Emily and Alice

 “I would feel lost if the Child Brain Injury Trust did not exist, I have learned to deal with things in a more positive way and it is also nice to know I am not alone, there are other people out there with the same if not more problems than myself but it is also good to know there are people like the Child Brain Injury Trust out there to help us through the good and the bad times.” 

If you take one action today, help us spread the word to get people to understand childhood acquired brain injury and know that the Child Brain Injury Trust is here to provide support.

Thank you to Katie for her fundraising and for sharing her story.

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.