What’s on Your What’s on Your What’s on Your Mind?Mind?Mind?

Our Service Users Share Their Experiences in a Publication Produced by The Cedar Foundation Brain Injury Services

Dedicated to Sharon Wardman

BelfastBelfastBelfast Since my Brain Injury I have experienced headaches and I find it hard to use my right hand to write. I get very painful on one side and I want to get out of this chair. I feel I’m coming good though; I’m getting stronger and I use my walking frame at home sometimes, to build my strength. Since coming to Cedar I have come on very well, I have done lots of work, met new people and I am now studying at Belfast Met; where I do Text Processing, and I really like coming here.

Donna-Marie: My Story

I never let my disability hinder my ambition.

The Cedar Foundation provides a

support system, opens avenues with job opportunities via work

experience and has aided my per-sonal development.

Marc McCartney

Picture 1 shows the start of your injury when you can only start to understand what’s going on, this picture is blurry and dark, you don’t really know what’s going on, there’s something out there but you don’t know what it is.

Picture 2 shows things when you’re a lot stronger and you can understand things, things are a lot clearer to you. Life is good and you start to appreciate things again. The dark cloud above the mountains is there because you still have an injury but you are getting on with it, the

whole picture isn't perfect but it's a lot better than what it was at the start. For people with a brain injury The Cedar Foundation are the people to have on your side. They will help and support you in your interest or hobbies, encourage you to get on with life. It’s not easy coping with a disability but the staff and volunteers at Cedar will be there for you. They have helped me so much with what I want to do and they will do the same for you,

Words and Photography by Stephen Gill

Where do I start? My challenge is to get back to some kind of normality and reach goals with the help of other people. I like a challenge and if I can’t achieve things on my own, I need other people to help me work around it. I know because of this type of injury, I’m not going to go back to what I used to do – which was youth work and physical activity, but from what I have seen so far, I think this programme is a brilliant idea as it gets you out and about mixing with other people; which is what I always did. I also used to work in the carpet industry for years and so if anyone wants a contact about carpets – just ask! I was an adult instructor for most of my life and if I was able – I would like to help other people again and use my social skills. It is really good to get out – I like to keep myself busy and I am trying to keep as active as I can - to build up my strength and stamina, so I can face new challenges!

Jimmy Moore

Being told in hospital that I had a brain injury was probably the most devastating experience I have had and coming to Cedar and realising there was life after brain injury was wonderful; BUT your body never lets you forget that you have a brain injury.

Paul Caughey

Bang Bang Bang…

The day you nearly took my life was the day I knew it won't be the same. You filled my head with doubt and paranoid thoughts.

Feel a bit mad with out bursts of energy. They call them panic attacks but I know it’s just anger building up inside. I know

you're in a prison cell but you took me with you when you took my friends away from me with this paranoia. I feel trapped and

hidden away.

All you left me was anger but now I feel sorry for you and want to know why?

Cedar are helping me trust people again and stop trying to be so paranoid and try to get my life again and get a job or

something to keep my mind busy...

Cheers

Anon

Cedar have been very supportive and

helpful to me. They have enabled me to

find a job in Shopmobility at the Royal

Victoria Hospital which is at the heart of

my local community. It is due to Cedar

that I have been able to lead an active

lifestyle. It is thanks to Cedar that I

have got my self confidence back and

feel I can live a normal life.

Grace Shallow

I have been through the vocational programme twice.

The first time I came to Cedar I didn’t know where I was or where I was going – but Cedar took their time with me and let me work at my own pace.

The second time I came to Cedar I had very little confidence; I was shy and

felt unable to say ‘no’ to anyone. Cedar helped me to become more confident and come out of myself – I am more assertive now.

Anonymous

I came to Belfast 2 to 3 yrs ago and had never heard of Cedar before, and it was when I applied for a Housing Executive house that the person put me in touch with Cedar - and they put me in touch with floating support, which was a big help to me. They got me in touch with a social worker, which helped me a lot. I am also on the vocational programme now and I am in the middle of doing my ECDL, with tutoring. I have been a member of the User Forum at Cedar for almost 2 years now and I can’t thank Cedar enough for their help and support. Robert Wylie

A Cedar Foundation Floating Support Service User Shares Her Experiences I received a Brain Injury in 1997 and went for many years struggling without the right treatment or help. By the time Christine, my Cedar Support Worker, came into my life I was living without routine, purpose and in chaos. Christine has helped me understand and accept my Brain Injury and has taught me invaluable ways of coping with many aspects of my life and gain a lot of control. This has left me feeing more confident and happy than I have done in years. Everyday has its challenges but the coping mechanisms and tools I have learnt from Cedar have helped me overcome a lot and made things more manageable. Before bills were forgotten about, repairs unreported, housework undone and meals and shopping had no routine or balance. It was bedlam. Things are so much better. I realise I had unrealistic expectations of myself, thus resulting in nothing getting done and a feeling of uselessness and negativity. By learning to pace myself, make realistic plans and goals, I have gotten on top of many things and feel more positive. Working with Cedar and Christine has given me strength, resilience, clarity, and acceptance and the ability to believe in myself more than I thought possible. There is still some way to go but with all this help I feel strong foundations have finally been built and look forward to building more with the help of Cedar.

I can’t drive, therefore I can’t make friends as easily. I’m strong minded and I’m willing to give anything a go. I have a weakness down my left hand side as a result of my motor vehicle accident. To sit and concentrate on something

would be hard to do, but my attention span has definitely increased.

Cedar have given me the opportunity of going to tech and doing CLAIT and also supported me through my NVQ Level 2 in Business Administration. Cedar has also given me the opportunity to gain work experience in different working

environments.

Craig Ferguson

One of the challenges of living with Brain Injury is that I don’t like going places where there are crowds because noise affects me. I can’t have too much noise. It was hard for me going out shopping at first but then I got around it. Cedar has helped me realise that I’m not on my own. It has given me the opportunity to meet new people and as well as the training I have received I also have the opportunity to be part of a social group, which goes out once a month.

Anonymous

South Eastern AreaSouth Eastern AreaSouth Eastern Area

My name is Ben Sheriff and I started using Cedar’s support to help establish myself in work and help me live with my brain injury. Thanks to Cedar’s support through the past year, I’ve greatly overcome some of the challenges I was experiencing at work. Thanks to regular contact with Cedar I can remember what I’m doing. But I still need the support. If it was gone, I’d be at a loss again. On some days I feel I can do any task. On others I feel lost, confused and sort of out of place. This has also caused me stress, but, once again, Cedar helped me by sorting me a work placement and introducing me to a charity organisation that deals with a wide range of people everyday. This I am grateful for as I’ve now been getting on with work without the stress.

Ben’s StoryBen’s Story

One of the challenges of living with Brain Injury is accepting that you have changed. How others perceive you. How friends become acquaintances. Learning to do things all over again e.g. driving, shopping. The Cedar Foundation has made a difference in helping me accept my disability. Meeting others in the same boat. The tutors have time for you. I never feel inadequate. I look forward to the Cedar groups. By Sylvia Gawley

Living with a brain injury means two things – good and bad changes in

your life. One is that you’re always thought of at home with family and

friends and someone is always there for you. The bad things are your

life is turned upside down and you don’t know what is going to happen

to you in the future.

Cedar has helped me get back my life with my family and friends and I

have made new friends and I have gained new ground, like how to

operate a computer.

Also they have helped me get qualifications and get me back on my feet

with the world around me.

Les Beckett

A Brain Injury does not have obvious physical distinctions. People sometimes assume that nothing has happened and you are taking

advantage of it.

It is different for each of us and can be lonely. It can be embarrassing to use the phrase “Brain Injury”.

The main difference is that I have met other people who have experienced something similar and can identify with each other.

I do not feel as guilty and self-conscious as I once did of not working full-time.

I appreciate the support I have received from The Cedar Foundation.

Ita Murray

My life has been turned upside

down. It has affected my

walking. It has ruined my life.

The Cedar Foundation has got

me a job and got me back into

the community and they have

helped me with English and

Maths.

D

Artwork by Susan Tsang

My name is Katrina and this is my personal experience of entering planet cancer. I was a kid without any problems when I was growing up. I used to go to Irish dancing and was a member of the Briginis. When I was eleven I was diagnosed with a Brain Tumour. I had a shaky hand which seemed to get worse, it got worrying when I found I couldn’t carry a cup of tea or coffee without spilling some. I went to the hospital and I was sent for a CAT scan where they found the tumour.

After my surgery my life changed and things were quite different. I had to use a wheelchair for some time and also had problems with my eyesight. During this time I had to change schools from my primary to Fleming Fulton Secondary School which was a special needs school. There were some difficult times but things got better in time. The Cedar Foundation has been great for me. Cedar has given me confidence through work experience, employment and dealing with different issues in my life. Also there have been so many different opportunities where I met different people with brain injuries who understand me and we get on well.

Katrina’s StoryKatrina’s Story

Painting by David McCadden The artist with some of his work

One of the challenges of living with Brain Injury is accepting the change. I know I have changed my outlook on life – I don’t have as high expec-tations of myself. The Cedar Foundation has made a difference - I have joined a book club with Cedar and I enjoy the reading.

Anonymous

I find it hard to remember and I find it a little hard to write. Cedar helped me find a class to do Art and English and I

enjoy it because it helps me learn.

Anonymous

When I came round from my brain injury it felt very scary. My eyesight was affected and I have a lot of pain down my leg. It is very painful at times. I have memory loss so Cedar is there to help with that. I do a couple of courses a week to get me out of the house and to get to know people that have gone through the same injury that I have. The staff at The Cedar Foundation are very helpful and kind. I have learnt a lot at Cedar and the people I have met and teachers are very kind

and helpful. The courses are all about to stop because it is coming into the summer holidays. Cedar will run a summer scheme so that the people we have met during the year will all meet up again. Last year we did yoga, made cakes and played a couple of mind games. We also completed a First Aid course and a stress course, so that we could relax and not feel so anxious. I would like to thank Cedar for their help during the year and would also like to thank the teachers.

By Donna Dixon

I have just started with The Cedar Foundation and I feel like I’m moving forward in a positive way. I am looking forward to going

back to study and hopefully returning to work in a new area.

Stephen McCrosssan

Western Area: FoyleWestern Area: FoyleWestern Area: Foyle

In 2008 I had a major operation in Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital. This

was the debulking process of removing part of a brain tumour.

The operation itself was successful in that it succeeded in removing the

tumour but at a price. I was left semi-paralysed down my right side. I

also caught a chest infection and had to be rushed back to theatre for a

second operation. After this I could not talk or swallow.

In this time my Mother, who was in the Foyle Hospice, had died after a

long battle with breast cancer. I was told this after the first operation.

After spending 2 months in the Royal and 8 months in Spruce House

where with the help of physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech

and language therapists and eventually with the help of the Cedar

Foundation I managed to get my life back together.

It was a long hard struggle but I was determined that I was going to

bounce back and continue on with life in some way.

By Hugh McLaughlin

Hugh’s StoryHugh’s Story

I have been attending Cedar Foundation for two years now, and I have learnt with the support of Cedar to overcome the difficulties resulting from my brain injury. Cedar has made me aware of useful strategies and forward planning which allows me to function to my level. I also have had to look at different career options. Here Cedar has helped me experience a few work tasters. I am now thinking of following up one of those work experiences as my new career. Thank you for all your time and help - everyone involved with me in Cedar.

Anon

To Whom It May Concern: I am writing to thank the Cedar Foundation for all your wonderful work that you have

done for us. I don’t think we could have come this far without you. I am just writing this to thank you for helping us.

Stephen and Eugene

Thanks from us. We are very thankful for all your work.

Artwork by Kerry Lynch

Glen’s Story A couple of years ago I was in the car when another car hit me on the passenger side leaving me hospital. I was in a coma in the Royal Hospital, then when I was awake I was taken down to Derry where I started the Cedar programme. One thing they knew is that because of having a brain injury I could not fully understand simple routines, for example learning how to read and write again. By taking me in and starting from scratch I am now back in tech doing an access course so that I can go off to university. They do a lot of good work and don’t put you under any stress

Glen McCready

I’m attending a class in Northside through the Cedar Foundation. About 14 people attend the class. In the class we take part in group discussions and do other tasks. I have met a lot of people through the class and I get on well with all of them. It aims to boost your confidence and help people come out of their shell. The Cedar Foundation has helped me a lot since my accident. I also attend other classes in Maths, English and Computers. Liam McCloskey

Happy Smile

A smile can bring happiness To the darkest day and

Even bring hope when things Aren’t going too well, but most of

All it you feel down just Do turn that frown upside down

And make it right again. When you smile and the

World smiles back it makes You feel so fine

So happiness is always there There’s just one thing to do

If you’re down and not at your Best just smile and you’ll

Get through.

By Alex Callaghan Alex Callaghan

Artwork by Kerry Lynch

After brain injury, I joined the Cedar Foundation. It opened up a whole new experience for me! I have met so many lovely people with so many different personalities. Each week we have different topics in our Personal Development class at Northside. Some discussions can be quite heated. Everybody has an opinion, right or wrong. Maria our tutor has her work cut out keeping the balance. We have all found it beneficial talking about our experiences. Knowing other people with the same problems makes it all easier to handle. The Cedar Foundation has given me the chance to go to a Numeracy class, something I have always been scared of, but hopefully not any more! Freida at Cedar has been very supportive and very encouraging.

Hilda Henderson

I found this class at Northside very scary to start with. The thought of meeting and talking with other people scared me. Catherine from the Cedar Foundation came with me on my first day. I really needed her there. My confidence has grown since that first day and through the friendships I have made, I know I am not on my own. I have help when I need it through the Cedar Foundation. My classmates and teacher are now friends, and I am not alone in my fears as they feel it too. I am not on my own and this gives me comfort and confidence. I can’t thank The Cedar foundation enough. My confidence is coming back in everyday things, e.g reading. They are giving me my life back. Thank you

The Cedar Foundation has helped us a lot to get our heads back

on track. The people are so sound and keep up our spirits. All the

people including our teachers make the day fly by.

We have a debate and talk about general things but I wouldn’t

change the group. They are sound bunch of people. I came into

the class half way through the term and mixed in ok. The course

has brought me closer to people with the same injury as I have

and I wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t of come here. So I just

want to say thank you.

Individually, I want to say thank you to Freida, Maria and all the

Cedar group for their help. Even the taxi men Sean and Conner

are sound men. I have got to know them too and they treat you

so well. I nearly forgot to say, that I have to say thank you too to

Catherine as well. I met her a couple of times and she is a really

nice person.

The Cedar Foundation is a great group and helps people with their

disability and also helps them come to terms with things.

Alex Callaghan

My name is Kieran McCann and I am here to tell you what happened to me on Friday the 20th June 2008. It started off as a normal morning, got up at my normal time, had my breakfast and went on to work as a stores person. It was the same as any day until at lunch time when my workmate asked me if I was feeling a bit sick but then I passed out. I was taken to the local hospital in Omagh and transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital where I stayed for 12 days and didn’t know anyone. I was then brought back to Omagh County hospital. After a few days of getting out I was introduced to the Brain Injury team who introduced me to Cedar. Both of these organisations have helped me get to where I am today. Since joining Cedar I had gone back to my job as a store man but due to the way the recession is I was made redundant. Cedar have helped me with supporting job searches and applications and have helped me with benefits. I am currently looking for work so that I can get back to earning some money. Through Cedar I have recently gained a first aid qualification which will be good on my C.V. when looking for jobs. My family and I would like to thank both the Brain Injury team and Cedar for the support and help that they give to me.

Kieran McCann

Western Area: EnniskillenWestern Area: EnniskillenWestern Area: Enniskillen

LIFE AFTER A BRAIN INJURY

Since I received my brain injury daily tasks such as dressing and cooking and cleaning have become very difficult and I need help to do these simple everyday tasks. Before my injury I could hold down a full time job and lead an independent life but since my injury my whole way of

life has changed.

I am a user of the Cedar Foundation’s Brain Injury Rehabilitation Programme, as it was recommended to me that The Cedar Foundation would be of assistance and could help me in training and employment.

This has proved to benefit me greatly because the Cedar Foundation has organised two different work placements locally and has helped me gain valuable work experience and meet new people in a working situation.

Anon

HOW EPILEPSY AFFECTS MY LIFE Epilepsy is something you would never like to see anyone taking or having. If you are a child in your own home you are generally alright, but when you leave home you are very restricted. I was unlucky as I met the wrong person, got married and was deserted.

As you can imagine this in no way helped my problem. At first I was working and driving had a lot of independence, but this soon came to an end when I had three car accidents, and so I am lucky to be living at all. Now I am single again I find it so frustrating that I am back relying on my family for getting around. When you lose your independence it is such a major thing which so many take for granted. I now attend Drumcoo Centre in particular The Cedar Foundation to do a computer course on a one to one basis which I really enjoy and feel relaxed at. I have just received a certificate for

passing eleven ICT modules through OCR at NSP level. I have also received a certificate for First Aid and I recently began voluntary work one day a week. All these things though small helped me personally for building my low self esteem and confidence. Finally, I must add the two people in Cedar Foundation Anita McCreary and Darragh Collins helped me so much, which also gives back a little of my independence. I live in hope that in time my epilepsy may stop but at present I am very much stuck with it and all that goes with it.

By Siobhan McGinn

In the summer of 2008 I was involved in a near fatal road accident.

Previous to my accident I worked as a mechanic but I could not return to the garage floor with one arm not working fully. The dealership was kind enough to give me a less physical job but it involved dealing with

customers and, as my speech was affected in the accident, I did not feel comfortable in this role.

It was at this time that I met with the Cedar Foundation through my

occupational therapist. They encouraged me to further myself through education, sourcing a suitable course and getting me grants and aids to

help with my learning. I have now almost finished the first year of my BTEC and have begun looking at universities as I intend on continuing to third level education. Without Cedar I would probably not have returned

to education but I’m glad they encouraged me to as I’m thoroughly enjoying it and am generally more content with my life.

Anon

Gerard’s Story

Before I had a brain injury I was working as a plastering sub contractor.

I ran my own business and had a small family farm. At the time of my

accident I had 15 men working for me. I loved being out and about and

being busy.

After my injury I was in hospital for 6 or 7 weeks and when I came out I

couldn’t leave the house, I had no confidence and just couldn’t face

going out. When I did try to go back I just wasn’t able, I couldn’t handle

the stress and pressure and couldn’t deal with all the phone calls from

people looking work done.

I was told about the Cedar Foundation by The Brain Injury Team and

soon started working with Anita and enrolled on a computer course. This

gave me the routine of getting out of the house and I looked forward to

having something to do. This year I been working with Darragh to find

courses and work I am interested in. I have started a tiling course in

Enniskillen and I hope to start working on a renovation project soon.

Apart from this I liked getting the chance to meet other people with

Brain Injury to share experiences with them.

By Gerald Bradley

My Brain Injury and What it Means to Me �� Short term memory affected: I often loose things and cannot remember

where I put them. �� Also I can forget messages or fail to remember things I have to do. I

depend greatly on a diary system or my mobile phone to remind me. �� I find it more difficult to concentrate and get tired or lose interest when

doing a task. �� I feel my ability to process information is slower than it was. �� Problems trying to motivate myself to plan ahead and set goals. �� I can get frustrated and angry at times because I have a desire to get

back out working. �� I can get anxious about things and panic more easily. �� My sleep patterns are greatly affected. I maybe can only sleep 3-4

hours at night time and can be tired during day time. By Michael Leonard

Sharon’s StorySharon’s Story I was in a car crash on 21 August 1977 I was 17 years of age. I was in hospital for my 18th birthday and have no memory of coming home. After I got home I thought I looked very ugly and had plastic surgery twice and my teeth are all false. I had no confidence and my self esteem was very low. My social life and work were not good for a few years. It improved when I got a job but after three months I had to give it up. Since then I have had bits and pieces of jobs but since I have been on the Cedar programme I have been involved in group work and done some one to one work. The Cedar Foundation has helped me with two voluntary work placements. I recently completed a first aid course and was presented with a certificate last week

which made me feel good. I feel I still say the wrong thing sometimes and then feel embarrassed about it but most days I feel better about myself and just get on with my life.

Caolan’s Story On the 22nd of January 2004 I had a Brain

Injury as a result of a car crash and this

has affected my Memory and

Concentration. I forget a lot of small

things such as remembering to switch off

the heating.

Even concentrating on a single task is

sometimes an issue - sometimes I find my

mind seems to wander.

An example of concentration loss is if I am doing homework - I can start

thinking of something irrelevant and then that would be when I would

have to leave the work.

Cedar has helped me focus on Memory and helped me with a technique

called “Visual Aids” which is a good way of remembering tasks.

By Caolan McPolin

Southern AreaSouthern AreaSouthern Area

My Brain Injury

By James Strain

At 7 years old I developed Fluid on the brain. Mr Gordon drained the

fluid but this had caused brain damage. I was in a coma for 3 months.

I could hear everyone else but couldn’t speak. Then one morning I just

woke up and I could talk perfectly. At first my memory was terrible and

I couldn’t remember anything but as I learnt to read and write I wrote

everything down and managed that way.

I am a slow learner but can learn new skills but it just takes time.

I have had epilepsy ever since, taking seizures about 3 times a week.

Since my medication has been balanced and the home help comes in to

give me my tablets, I haven’t had a seizure for about 7 months.

I can’t work manually as a labourer any more as the seizures got worse

as I got older.

As I grew up I was accident prone and kept hitting my head, resulting in

3 metal plates in my head which have now been removed.

Cedar has helped a lot with my finances as Maths is not my strong

point. My support worker spots my problems and works out a way to

deal with them without making me feel stupid. They know where to get

help and who I can talk to - this will help me in the future.

Shane’s Story

Since my car accident my family and friends have been good to me. They make sure that I am safe, clean and well fed. However a lot of other people make a laugh about me and joke about my condition. People tend not to take me serious because I can’t do the same work or other things they do. I have found it hard to study and concentrate, especially when people try to put me down. Cedar has made a positive impact on my life by giving me good advice and helping me with studying for my Numeracy and Literacy Awards, which has helped my own self-confidence. Cedar also supported me in my Work

Placement. I worked in the Primary school for 3 years and got on well with the Staff and the Children. The Children really liked the way I worked with them. All the advice I have been given from Cedar Staff has been for my benefit. Sometimes I do not like this, but I know I can trust the Staff to give me sound advice to help me make the right choices. I like this because I can be vulnerable at times. Cedar also introduced me to Headway, who are a Support Group for People with Brain Injury and their Families. This has meant that I have many occasions to meet people in a social setting. We meet on a regular basis and go out on Trips. The last thing I want to say is that I would like people to listen to what I have to say and take me seriously. I want to be treated like an Adult and treated with Respect and Cedar has given me the Confidence to expect that.

All I want to say is that I would not be where I am today without my involvement with Cedar. I am now in full time employment, have my GCSE in English and have a happy and active social life. Cedar has given me the confidence to get to where I wanted to be. Dean Jardine

I had never heard of Cedar before Dean was referred by his Speech Therapist for issues related to his Brain Injury but that was the luckiest day of our lives. Dean has gone from a person with little self confidence to a young man who has the same expectations as any other young man. Dean’s big wish was to

gain his GCSE in English and against all the odds he got his grade.

The change to Dean’s life has been amazing I know that this would not have happened without the input from Cedar. The staff have been more than

helpful and supportive and I know that they really care about the person and not just the trainee they work with.

Diane Jardine – Dean’s Mother

I sustained a brain injury when I was in my late 20’s in a car accident. Before I was referred to Cedar I attended a day centre 4 days per week and I lived with family. Since being put in contact with Cedar I now live and travel independently and Cedar helped me achieve this. I had always wanted my own place and space. I also attend two work placements four days per week which has improved my self confidence and has given me a big opportunity to meet lots of people. I enjoy working with the Cedar staff because they care about me. Jean Wilson

Hi. I’m Martin,

I had a serious Brain Injury in November 2004. When I eventually got out of hospital and was at home I was a different person - I couldn’t do the things I

normally took for granted. I felt useless and withdrawn, I couldn’t interact with people.

Then I was introduced to Cedar, I started going to meetings with Cedar staff

and people who also had Brain Injuries. Cedar staff were so helpful and caring.

Cedar got me onto a computer course, they helped and supported me the

whole way through the course which I have completed and passed.

Cedar has really helped me and still continue doing so.

Thank You.

My name is John Maxwell and I’m 26 years old. When I was 18 I was involved in a Road Traffic Accident. The accident resulted in a lot of physical injuries including three fractures of my skull, which left me with a brain injury. It took a long time for me to recover physically from the accident. In addition, acquiring the brain injury was to have a massive impact on my life. My memory was affected and I found I wasn’t as motivated as I had been before. My levels of concentration suffered as I found it difficult to focus. The ABIT Team told me about the services available from The Cedar Foundation and in 2008 I was referred through to the charity for further help.

I used the Vocational Service in Newry and they helped me focus on the kind of work activity I would like to carry out in the future. The Cedar Foundation helped me source the HND in Photography at Lurgan Campus of the Southern Regional College and have assisted and supported me through the last two years in dealing with the challenges that I face on a daily basis. This course is helping me greatly expand my skills and knowledge about how photography works. I have started my own photography business and I am trying to work up a good reputation for myself and hope to be able to work full time in this field. The Cedar Foundation helped me decide what I wanted to do in terms of work and study. By assisting me to make the right choice, my confidence in my own abilities has increased and this self determination has helped with my concentration. I have also found that with my increased confidence I tend to use my own initiative a lot more, resulting in more positive outcomes. I really wouldn’t be where I am today without Cedar’s support to help me cope with the challenges which my brain injury brings. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank The Cedar Foundation for all they've done for me.

Since my Brain injury I find it hard to follow conversations and sometimes have inappropriate conversations. It is hard to meet with your friends because of this. My memory is very bad and I never watch or listen to TV or Radio as I find this hard. I also feel sick now when eating certain types of food. I have made new friends at Cedar and now feel good about making contacts with my old friends.

Cedar has shown me how to use computers and I enjoy this and I read books now. Cedar have got me a cooking course and I am learning how to cook different foods for my family and friends. I have also learned how to look after my garden, cutting the grass and looking after the fish pond.

John Brown

When I wake up every morning I look outside and think it’s a nice day, and then I realise that I am still sick! and its not going to change, that is the hard part of having a brain injury. I find it hard dealing with the tiredness and the

crankiness and I know that this is hard on my family. I don’t like having to take tablets every day either. I have difficulty with reading and writing now and find

this is hard as I need to relearn this.

At the start coming to Cedar was strange for me. I didn’t like it at the start; it was a new challenge for me. Anything new for me is too much and I don’t like it. But now it is different, I like it; the staff are good and pleasant. The staff

know what my problems are.

I really like doing the gardening placement and attending the art class. They give me more things to do during the week.

Eugene Burns

Northern AreaNorthern AreaNorthern Area

Since having a brain injury my sleeping patterns have been affected. I am easily distracted now. I also have difficulty understanding conversations

and find it hard to have appropriate conversations in certain places.

Cedar has helped me to become a bit closer to normal than I thought I would get to after I had the brain injury. It has also got me into

rehabilitation work and involved in class at tech, to help me understand Maths and English again.

Mitchell Gilmore

The hardest thing about having a brain injury is waking up in the morning and finding that life is not worth living. I feel tired and have sore heads all

of the time. I have found Cedar has helped me to start to learn about computers and reading. It has helped me to write with my left hand which I never had to do before. I didn’t like Cedar at the start because I wasn’t used to it. I like Cedar now because the staff are nice and I am meeting new challenges while at Cedar. I am really enjoying attending my work

placement where I work at gardening. Anonymous

Since having my brain injury I find it hard to remember people’s names. I

also find it difficult to remember more than one thing at a time.

Cedar helps you to gain control, and

helps you to know what to do everyday and how to cope with the pressures of having a brain injury.

John Brewster

One of the biggest challenges of living with a brain injury is learning to come to terms with it and all of the difficulties that come with it. I find it hard to cope with noise now and need to wear ear plugs to try and cope with this. Losing the ability to drive a car and a lorry is very hard to come to terms with. I also have memory problems which means I need to use a diary and need to always put things in the same place or I forget what I am doing and can’t find anything. There is also a challenge on the family and it is now more difficult to deal with family problems.

Cedar has been great, they have taught us about head injury and what we need to do to work with people effectively. They have shown me personally that by taking extra breaks throughout the day I am less fatigued and able to complete tasks. Cedar breaks things down so that we can understand ways and means to do different tasks. Cedar has also helped me try out a range of work tasters giving me experience in different areas of work.

James McCullough

I have problems with remembering people’s names and remembering what to say. My short term memory is bad but thank God, my old memory is good. The Cedar Foundation has been great; the care we get is really something. You have to be here to experience it. Cedar has made me in hundreds of different ways.

Peter McGarry

When I received my brain injury I knew there was something wrong straight away as I could not talk. It was hard to get my point across at the start then after a while I started to notice other things like the way I see things and the way I work things out in my head. Nothing seemed to make sense to me on top of this I had trouble with my numbers, counting and tiredness. All of these things got me down and I spent a lot of time feeling sorry for myself. Then I started to work hard at trying to get back to my normal self. I needed checklists to help me remember things, and then I got my speech back and learned how to do the basic things all over again. Things are still very hard for me but I have learned to deal with them as best I can. Things are getting back to normal but they tell me these things just take time, I will wait and see how much time it does take and I hope everything returns to normal. Cedar has made a real difference to my life, I am more confident at doing things. I have learned different ways to help me do things, like checklists, using my diary and alarms, all these things have helped me lots. I also have learned to take more breaks when I am doing things so I don’t get over tired and too sleepy. All these things sound like the normal way to do things but before Cedar I would never have thought of them. Now we are starting to look for jobs, so with Cedar’s help I will get something that suits me and my needs.

Anon

Services Directory

Vocational Services

This service is available throughout Northern Ireland to anyone over 16 who has sustained a Brain Injury and is ready to further develop employability skills. The programme is time-limited (usually 2 years). It is focused on the personal goals of the person and based on partnership working with them, their families and other health professionals

Belfast Balmoral Training & Resource Centre, 1 Upper Lisburn Road, Belfast BT10 0GW Telephone: (028) 9061 2424 Email: bisbelfast@cedar-foundation.org South Eastern Area Unit 1, Wallace Studios, Wallace Avenue, Lisburn, BT27 4AE Telephone: (028) 9262 9071 Email: bissoutheastern@cedar-foundation.org Southern Area Ballybot House, 28 Cornmarket, Newry, BT35 8BG Telephone: (028) 3026 3791 Email: bissouthern@cedar-foundation.org Western Area Balliniska Business Park, Springtown Drive, Derry, BT48 0NA Telephone: (028) 7136 0136 Drumcoo Centre, Enniskillen, BT74 6AY Telephone: (028) 6632 4400 Email: biswestern@cedar-foundation.org Northern Area 1a Woodside Road Industrial Estate, Woodside Road Ballymena, BT42 4JQ Telephone: (028) 2565 9111 Email: bisnorthern@cedar-foundation.org

Floating Support

Our Floating Support team assists adults living in their own home to carry out their housing responsibilities as independently as possible by tailoring a pro-gramme to suit their individual needs. All services are focused on the goals of the person and based on partnership working with them, their families and other health professionals. Typically support is up to 6 hours per week over 6 - 9 months. Support is short term and does not include personal care support but is ideal if you require advice to help you have a more independent lifestyle. Belfast Balmoral Training & Resource Centre, 1 Upper Lisburn Road, Belfast BT10 0GW Telephone: (028) 9061 2424 Email: bisbelfast@cedar-foundation.org South Eastern Area Unit 1, Wallace Studios, Wallace Avenue, Lisburn, BT27 4AE Telephone: (028) 9262 9071 Email: bissoutheastern@cedar-foundation.org Southern Area Ballybot House, 28 Cornmarket, Newry, BT35 8BG Telephone: (028) 3026 3791 Email: bissouthern@cedar-foundation.org Western Area Balliniska Business Park, Springtown Drive, Derry, BT48 0NA Telephone: (028) 7136 0136 Email: biswestern@cedar-foundation.org Northern Area 1a Woodside Road Industrial Estate, Woodside Road Ballymena, BT42 4JQ Telephone: (028) 2565 9111 Mountfern Complex, 8a Rugby Avenue, Coleraine, BT52 1JL Telephone: (028) 7034 2563 Email: bisnorthern@cedar-foundation.org

www.cedar-foundation.org

The Cedar Foundation’s Training/Brain Injury Services are part financed by the European Social Fund and the Department for Employment and Learning.

The Cedar Foundation, Malcolm Sinclair House,

31 Ulsterville Avenue, Belfast BT9 7AS Telephone: (028) 9066 6188 Fax: (028) 9068 2400

E-mail: info@cedar-foundation.org A company limited by guarantee.

Registered in Northern Ireland No. 2132. Inland Revenue Charity No. XN47377