Greetings

[BaronC]

Well, er, hello all. Brain injured in 1994 and found this community today. I obviously didn't look hard enough

[Dorsetcharlie]

Welcome!

[BaronC in reply to Dorsetcharlie]

My first contact! Thank you muchly, nice to meet you

[headwayuk Partner Headway]

Hi BaronC, welcome to our community! It was launched just a few months ago so is still pretty new - but has quickly turned into a really friendly and supportive place to be.

Do you know about Headway? We offer a range of services including a website ( headway.org.uk ), helpline and local groups and branches around the country. Do let us know if you need any more information about these.

Hope you enjoy your time here,

Best wishes,

Headway.

[BaronC in reply to headwayuk]

Oh yes, I know all about Headway. The Headway support worker at my local hospital during my recouperation in 1995 and beyond was invaluable and went on to become a very, very good friend of mine. She even got a mention in the 'thank you' page in my first book

[iforget in reply to BaronC]

Hi there and good to meet you.... I assume from the book comment above that you wrote a book? I would be interested to learn more if and when you care to share.

[brighton88]

welcome

[BaronC in reply to brighton88]

Thank you kindly

[Jigsaw]

Hi, Lovely to meet you, hope to speak again soon, Linda x

[BaronC in reply to Jigsaw]

Hi Linda, it would be nice to speak to you too x

[Hidden]

What a nice introduction, it is great to 'meet' you. Welcome!

[BaronC in reply to Hidden]

Thank you sir! You're very kind

[richardhomer]

Hi and welcome.

[BaronC in reply to richardhomer]

Thank you!

[Hidden]

Hello & welcome! Had my TBI in 2000 and this 'chatroom' didn't exist then (as far as I know). It's a great chance to swap ideas!

[BaronC in reply to Hidden]

I thank you!

[Lubilu01]

Hi there BaronC!

[BaronC]

Hello Lubilu!

[lkl68]

welcome

[BaronC in reply to lkl68]

Thank you

[headwaylincs]

Hello and welcome!! Can you tell me where i can get a copy of the book that you have had published? it would be great to have it for the Headway Lincolnshire library. Thanks.

[BaronC]

Thank you kindly!

Sadly my book is long out of print in paperback form, although I do personally have one or two copies. Quite happy to let you have one.

It is however always available in the Kindle format,

Almost Auf Wiedersehen - Andy Nicholson

[charlies_nan in reply to BaronC]

Hey. Just been on my Kindle to try to download a copy of your book as I was interested in reading your thoughts. Unfortunately the Kindle store states that it is "not currently available"

Just have to search all the pre-used bookstores. Thanks for your info.

[BaronC in reply to charlies_nan]

Hi! Yeah, I'm aware of the 'problem' and I've been in touch with Kindle to find out what the problem is as they were kind enough to not bother informing me of any issue. I'll let you know what I hear...

Oh, and thanks for showing interest in my literary leanings

Andy

[charlies_nan in reply to BaronC]

Thanks Andy. I'd really appreciate that. Brain injuries are strange things I've found. Prior to my son's I knew about the various parts of the human body and what the consequences were should one part fail, but of the brain, the hard drive controlling all the other bits, I knew nothing. So, to read of another's experiences, treatments, thoughts etc for me is quite cathartic.

I have put it on a wish list so hopefully if/when it becomes available they will let me know. Btw well done, I realise that nothing is completely as it seems, but you appear to have made a strong, positive recovery.

Thanks again

[BaronC in reply to charlies_nan]

I now need to find somebody to 're-format' my book for Kindle even though it was working fine. I have no idea how to format documents so it looks like I'm somewhat stuck

[charlies_nan in reply to BaronC]

Andy. In a previous life I was a secretary - the old fashioned type, so if there's anything I can do just let me know. Unfortunately I do not understand their terminology of 're-format' inasmuch as I don't know how they would need it done. Be more than willing to help though if I can.

[BaronC in reply to charlies_nan]

Bless you, very kind, I'll pm you

[Lubilu01]

I just read the intro to your book on amazon and wanted to carry on reading but sadly it ended abruptly! May I ask the cause of your brain injury or is that just a bit too nosey!

[BaronC in reply to Lubilu01]

Ask me anything you like!

I was working on building sites in Leipzig, East Germany in 1994.

One morning I walked into the house we were working on and fell 20 feet headfirst down an unguarded stairwell. I landed on my head on bare concrete.

My skull smashed and a large chunk wedged itself on to my brain.

I was rushed to Leipzig hospital already comatose. I was comatose for three weeks, but fortunately my skull healed without the need for surgery. I spent a further six weeks in hospital in Germany while the extent of my brain damage materialised.

If you saw me now you would never know, but the effects of the damage are numerous. I am partially sighted, my coordination is shot, I have weakness down my entire left side, I have migraines frequently, I developed epilepsy (now controlled) as a result of the damage and the list goes on...

But I’m still alive, I still function and I’m going to enjoy it while it lasts.

Andy

[Lubilu01 in reply to BaronC]

Good for you. Thanks for sharing this, what a nightmare. Pleased you've recovered as well as you have, long may it continue! I really want to read the rest of your book, haven't got a kindle, will see if i can get it for ipad, i do love a proper book though. Nobody knows what is around the next corner. Twice in the past year I've gone to work on a normal day and twice I've had a phone call to say one of my parents have had a subarachnoid haemmorage, first mum then dad. My Dad has severe brain damage, still in a rehab unit, time will tell. Time is the big thing with brain injury and us humans aren't great at waiting! All the best, Helen

[BaronC in reply to Lubilu01]

Bloody hell! I'm sorry to hear that, must be dreadful for you. You obviously know better than most that it's usually worse for the family and friends!

How awful. Every time someone like myself has a 'down' moment, I hear a story like your own to make me realise how lucky I am and humble me just a tad.

Regarding the book. The best I can do is lend you my own copy, it really has done the rounds! If you PM me your address, I'll happily send it to you with my return address

Andy

[ricozoe]

hi and welcome ive only just seen your posts but since my sah im a bit slow hope all is okay fr u at this time

[BaronC in reply to ricozoe]

Thank you, you're very kind. And I hope you're as well as can be expected too