Last night I watched ‘My New Brain’, a Cutting Edge programme on Channel 4. It focused on Simon, a young man who had suffered a catastrophic brain injury while at Newcastle University on a night out. The programme followed his time in hospital (where he was in a coma for 5 weeks), then in a transitional brain injury rehabilitation residential centre and then moving to a supported living flat.
It was interesting seeing his time in the rehab centre because it was similar to the rehab centre I have visited in Birmingham and I recognised some of the sessions, for example, rehabilitation cooking sessions and orientation sessions.
The most interesting (and lump in my throat!) part was seeing Simon with his younger brothers and mum. It was clear that his personality had changed significantly as a result of the brain injury, which in turn had a massive effect on his relationship with his family. Changes in personality, to varying degrees, are a very common effect of brain damage. But Simon’s family were so supportive and brave in dealing with this.
There was poignant footage of Simon’s younger brother helping him to get changed for bed and brush his teeth (it really was a case of back to square one) and then in contrast Simon told us how he had punched his brother one day simply because he couldn’t manage his own anger and frustration.
In summary, the programme was a moving insight into life after brain injury and, for me, a look into what many of my clients and their families have to learn and live with since their accidents. I’d definitely recommend watching it.