Heather Martin

Apart from having Sean going one day a week to a day centre I received no practical or emotional support. I was lucky to meet Frank and Aileen Dolaghan who had brought together a group of brain injury survivors and carers to set up the Brain Injury Foundation. Sean, Tom and I all joined the group when it was formed in 2012 and ever since we have been very actively involved in as many activities as we can. I had been in Newry for 20 years and until I joined the Foundation I had never met anyone who was caring for a brain injury survivor. It is wonderful to be able to talk to people who understand what you are going through – everyone had the same story- the low days you have to be prepared for, the loneliness and the isolation. Sean particularly enjoys the annual respite trip and the regular outings to the theatre and the mystery tours. Tom and I enjoy the Friday night sessions and we both do our best to help with fund raising. Life as a carer is very hard.

We are delighted with the new centre which we now have just outside Camlough. It is called Our House because that is what it is and we love being able to call in for a cup of tea and a chat. My biggest desire is that there would be respite care available for younger and middle aged people with brain injury. Carers are getting older and there is nowhere for survivors to go apart from a home for elderly people.