A woman who recovered from two brain haemorrhages has thanked Quarriers for their support.
A woman who suffered a devastating head injury has praised a charity for its support during her recovery.
Sheila Strathearn said the Quarriers Renfrewshire Head Injury Service had helped her “live life to the full” as she fought her way back from a potentially fatal injury.
Sheila was 29 years old – and 22 weeks’ pregnant – when an argument with her finance turned physical and her head hit off a bathroom sink.
Over the coming weeks, Sheila began to experience headaches which soon became unbearable. She was referred to the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow, where a CT scan confirmed that she had experienced two brain haemorrhages and sustained a brain injury.
After two months in hospital, Sheila, from Paisley, underwent an operation to stem a further bleed into her brain. During the subsequent four days while she was on life support, her distraught mother was told to say her goodbyes as it was unlikely that either Sheila or her unborn baby would survive.
Against all odds, Sheila regained consciousness days later. However, she had experienced a stroke, and as well as being paralysed on her right hand side, she was unable to walk or talk and had impairment to her memory.
Two months later she had a healthy baby boy, and with support from a physiotherapist, psychologist and a speech and language therapist, Sheila was discharged from hospital on her 30th birthday.
Sheila said: “Living with a brain injury means it can be very difficult to concentrate, remember things and go about your day-to-day business, and that can be frustrating. I managed for a number of years and got a lot of help from my mum but I felt very alone and isolated.”
Sheila first came into contact with Quarriers Renfrewshire Head Injury Service and its weekly support group, The Sunshine Club, seven years ago which has given her vital assistance as she has learnt to cope with her injury.
“It is hard for people who don’t have experience of a head injury to understand. It is an invisible condition,” says Sheila.
“Being a mum is difficult but learning to be a mum when you have an acquired brain injury is even harder.
“Quarriers made such a difference, providing a listening ear as well as practical help with financial support, accessing benefits and independent living.
“They are always there for me at the Sunshine Club. You don’t need to explain yourself. We all have an acquired brain injury and are like an extended family. It’s a lifeline for me.”
For Sheila, who worked as a PA before her injury, Quarriers has made life possible again and reinforced her philosophy to “live life to the full, as you don’t know what’s around the corner”.
Quarriers currently provides practical and emotional support to around 70 people living with an acquired head injury in the Renfrewshire Council area. Last year, in partnership with Renfrewshire Carers Centre, the service expanded its support to carers and family members who play a major role in the rehabilitation and care of loved ones with a head injury.
Quarriers Project Manager, Helen Stewart, said: “A head injury can happen to anyone at any time and life as you know it changes in an instant.
“It’s vital to remember that head injuries are an invisible disability – you can’t tell by looking at someone the turmoil going on inside their head. Even doing everyday things like making a cup of tea or catching a bus can be difficult and we teach coping strategies for these moments.
“In addition to that, our service is a safe space where people can come together to socialise with like-minded individuals so they realise they’re not alone, reducing any feelings of isolation.”
