Here you can read about how some of our members became involved with Headway South West London. Their inspiring stories show the importance of HSWL’s continued support for those with brain injuries.

Zan was away with a group of motorcycling friends at the Nurburgring in Germany on a long father’s day weekend June 2007 when he sustained a serious brain injury and other injuries in a motorcycle crash.  At the time he was a 45 year old father of 4.

On day 3 of the trip Zan took to the track early and as he took a right hand bend known as “Galgenkopf” or “Hang Man’s Hill” in English on his first lap, his motorcycle high sided into the right hand corner and threw him off into the Armco barrier, followed by his motorcycle which collided with him.  He had just purchased a brand new crash helmet which broke in half upon impact.

The crash left Zan with a severely broken right upper arm and traumatic brain injury which affected his ability to walk and talk.  He spent 3 months in an induced coma in a local hospital in Cologne.  Zan did not have any insurance.  He was flown back to the UK thanks to a large donation by an individual in Bournemouth and friends and family who raised funds to fly him home by RAF Air Ambulance to begin his rehabilitation.

At the time of the accident Zan owned a well-known replacement window company and specialised in house refurbishment and timber decking.  He was a physically fit 18 stone builder and since his early teens he had been a keen motorcyclist competing at small race circuits across the UK.

Zan spent several months in the Wolfeson Neurological Rehabilitation Centre in Wimbledon where he learned to walk.  He now walks with a slight stagger and has slightly impaired speech.  It was at the Wolfeson that Zan saw a Headway leaflet.  He joined Headway Poole when he returned to Bournemouth after his hospital discharge.  With the help of Headway, Zan was introduced to a personal coach and OT, whom he met with weekly to attend gym sessions and swimming, and go on short cycling outings to assist in his rehabilitation.

He has since returned to Surrey and lives independently in a ground floor flat in Surrey.  He joined Headway South West London where he attends regular support group meetings and enjoys meeting up with other members at sponsored social events or day trips to Brighton or London South Bank.  Zan has participated in presentations to local neurorehabilitation multi-disciplinary teams to help raise awareness of Headway to individuals who have suffered a brain injury either through trauma or stroke.  He has joined a local gym which he attends 3 times a week to build his upper and lower body strength.

In mid 2012 Zan applied to take part in a course especially designed for disabled people to enable them to achieve their private pilot licence.  He was shortlisted and trained at Filton Aerodrome over a 3 week period and treasures the thrill and exhilaration that this experience offered.

He and his family are acutely aware that brain injury has a devastating and lifelong effect.  He strongly advocates that anyone going abroad or on any sporting activity takes out insurance.

Karen Dempster

Karen was a typical girl enjoying school and friends when she was diagnosed with a benign brain tumour in 2003, requiring a five hour long life-threatening operation and 10 days in hospital.  After 6 months of care from her family Karen had a period in higher education and gained some work experience.

In July 2009 Karen tragically suffered a brain haemorrhage when she fell down the stairs at home.  She spent 3 weeks under sedation, paralyzed, unable to talk, eat and breathe on her own.  When she regained consciousness her family, friends and twin sister provided constant care and support.  Karen spent 6 months in St. George’s Hospital, and was transferred to Royal Hospital of Neurodisability in Putney where she underwent 9 months of therapy, learning how to talk, walk and eat again.

Karen spent a further 9 months is QEF Brian Injury Rehabilitation and describes the experience as “utterly amazing”.  QEF provided her with the physical confidence to accept her condition and move on with her life, and more importantly, the mental capacity to do so.  She rediscovered “the old Karen”; her creative spirit, her love for Family Guy and to her parent’s dismay, her quick temper!  Karen now lives independently and has her cat for company.

QEF introduced Karen to Headway SW London.  She has been a member since 2011.  With the help of HSWL, Karen has met others who regularly meet and help each other, whether long-term members or new. She says of HSWL “The compassionate spirit of the group encourages me to be a part of this community, knowing that others are always looking out for you”.

Karen continues to use a walking stick and four wheeled frame to help her walk short distances and has a wheelchair for longer distances.  Despite her mobility difficulties she enjoys horse riding at “Riding for the Disabled” in Carshalton and participates in competitions, which helps her core strength and confidence.  She volunteers once a week as an Admin Assistant for “Go Kingston Volunteering”; she helped to organise 170 volunteers taking part in the Olympic Torch and Cycle Race through Surrey.

Karen received the Mayor Community Award of Kingston upon Thames for her dedication to volunteering that summer, and reported in the Surrey Comet on 3rd August 2012 as saying “it is more about ability than disability”’  which really shows the importance of overcoming adversity as a volunteer.  Karen feels that volunteering shows the importance of overcoming adversity.

She won another award in May 2012 from The Worshipful Company of Girdlers Medallion from the Girdlers’ Company, who are one of the old livery companies based in the City of London whose main purpose these days is to raise money for charity.  The Medallion is awarded to several young people who have made remarkable achievements against the odds.  She was nominated because not only did she do incredibly well in her rehab, but she has also arranged several fundraising events for QEF.

Karen has also taken courses in photography, website design, poetry and art through local adult education colleges and The Open University. Karen has put her creativity into action by designing HSWL’s Certificate of Appreciation and Thank You cards.  She is actively involved in HSWL, assisting in the development of a Young Person’s Support Group.