A brain injury survivor is crowdfunding to enable his plans for a film to explore the realities of life after TBI to become a reality.
Ben Clench has lived with brain injury since 2010 and has written a book about the difficulties he faced in resuming life and in finding acceptance from wider society.
During COVID-19 lockdown, a short documentary film – Ben Again – was made about his journey as a TBI survivor.
Now, keen to build on this further, Ben is planning to create Follow the Patient, described as an inspirational film exploring the realities of healing after TBI.
The production will gather accounts from other brain injury survivors, as well as leaders in science and medicine, to give a comprehensive account of TBI and its impact.
To help it go ahead, Ben is appealing for support. The crowdfunding appeal, which has two days left, has generated over £7,000 – but is aiming for its £10,000 target.
“One person in the UK has a brain injury every 90 seconds, this is a ridiculously high number which is not common knowledge; an unseen issue occurring in society,” says Ben.
“No one even knows just how a brain injured person might look differently to the next person; it’s not something you can necessarily tell from the outside.
“Those with a TBI could be the ones you think are drunk, or not acting in a way you think people should act; angry, ‘too friendly’, outspoken. However, they might have stories that are riveting and utterly unique. Every story is different.
“Brain Injury might have severe consequences, or maybe less so. We want to make a documentary looking into the different stages people have got to, where they are going, where they hope to be.”
Follow the Patient, which has already assembled its production team, will bring together a number of survivors to hear their accounts of how they have negotiated life since brain injury, and whether they have managed to resume their lives or be forced to re-evaluate.
A neurologist, paediatric neuropsychologist, criminality expert and trauma consultant from leading brain injury centres are also set to take part.
“Brain injury has left some people with an invisible disability; a hidden and unknown aspect within society which is more prevalent in the population than anyone realises, without receiving the huge press that other serious conditions get,” adds Ben.
“We want to touch on the differences in the process of healing in a real and personal way.”
To add your support to the crowdfunding appeal, visit here
