Patient stories
A Leeds garden has launched an outdoor photography trail featuring work by a local brain injury survivor. York Gate Garden in Adel hosted nearly 100 guests for an exclusive preview of the exhibition, which features Samuel Booth's photography throughout the one-acre site. Booth, a local photographer and gardener, has volunteered at York Gate and Harewood [...]
Former rugby player David ‘Jacko’ Jackson is nearing the end of a 100-day ultramarathon challenge raising funds for brain injury charities. Jackson is aiming to complete a 50km ultramarathon every day for 100 consecutive days, with the challenge due to finish on September 5. He hopes to raise £100,000 for Headway UK and Head for [...]
When Tilly had a sudden stroke, ordinary young-adult life suddenly felt out of reach. Her story shows how specialist, technology-enabled community neurorehabilitation can turn clinical progress into something more personal: work, friendships, freedom and a way back to herself. By Resilience Neuro Specialists, Warwickshire “Having a stroke at 19 isn’t the most interesting thing about [...]
On 11 January, I woke up with a headache and an overwhelming feeling that something wasn't right. As a GP registrar, I tried to reassure myself it wasn't a stroke. But within minutes, I lost all power down my left side. I called my wife, who immediately phoned for an ambulance. Shortly afterwards, I lost [...]
A 12-week table tennis programme may improve movement, balance and walking endurance in people with Parkinson’s, a small pilot study suggests. Participants were able to walk further after completing the NeuroPong programme and reported fewer symptoms of depression than at the start. The programme combines table tennis instruction with exercises tailored to people with Parkinson’s. [...]
When Barry first moved into Albert Road, National Care Group’s specialist neurological service in Levenshulme, Greater Manchester, he was coming from a difficult period in his life. Following a stroke that resulted in a brain injury and left him with communication difficulties, Barry spent a long time in hospital before being placed in an elderly [...]
An Exeter stroke survivor who had a stroke at 29 has turned to stand-up comedy to help rebuild her life and confidence. Molly Kinsey’s act focusses on the chaos of raising her young son, and audiences are stunned when she reveals that she survived a stroke. She is determined not to let the memory problems, [...]
Heroic Andy Read has been saluted as “superhuman” as he prepares for a new milestone in his inspirational recovery from a catastrophic brain injury. Andy will don a brunette wig and specially awarded golden cape when he dresses up as Marvel icon Thor to take part in the Superhero Tri, a triathlon that takes place [...]
In October 2025, Terry's life changed dramatically. What initially appeared to be a heart attack was diagnosed as an aortic dissection. During his recovery, he spent six weeks in a coma, suffered two further heart attacks and a stroke, and remained in hospital for three months before being referred to Circle Rehabilitation. Before his illness, [...]
When Andrea moved into National Care Group’s Ashbrook Neuro Rehabilitation following a long hospital stay, her ultimate goal was to live independently again with her dog. At 55, Andrea was found unresponsive with a significant brain bleed. This resulted in a brain injury that left her with left-sided weakness, mobility challenges and difficulties with memory [...]
