As part of #GivingTuesdayNow, Anna Leggett is feeling thankful for the support of Headway Suffolk after suffering a brain injury in a road accident three and half years ago.
Anna, a mother of three from Waldringfield near Woodbridge, was involved in an accident in November 2016 when a Land Rover drove into the back of her car on the A137, which made her head jolt hard back and forwards and caused a concussion/mild diffuse axonal injury (DAI).
Headway Suffolk supported Anna in her first year of recovery with its rehab and therapy services, including an Understanding Brain Injury course, counselling and Brainy Dogs visits. She later made a substantial donation to thank the charity.
Anna said: “Thank you so much for the care and support you provided for me when I suffered a mild brain injury. It was fantastic and really helped my recovery.
“About nine months after my accident, Sophie paid us a couple of visits with Hope and Bee, two Brainy Dogs. This was a great pick me up for me and my three children – it really helped to take our minds off what had happened to me.
“We had so much fun with the dogs and were amazed at how clever they were. Chloe was also in the car with me when the accident happened and, although hasn’t been officially diagnosed, has displayed symptoms of suffering a concussion too.
“When my personal injury case was settled, I wanted to make a donation to Headway because I’m so grateful for what you provided during my first year of recovery.”
Headway Suffolk is asking for others to support its work on #GivingTuesdayNow – a global day of unity in response to coronavirus and a chance to show appreciation to those who have helped others through this challenging time.
Headway Suffolk is continuing to support its clients during the current crisis, with homecare visits, a virtual hub, food deliveries, counselling, a helpline and remote Brainy Dogs therapy. Click to find out our full range of services available during the pandemic.
With the closure of its hubs and other therapy services, the charity has estimated it needs to raise £100,000 to cover the shortfall of the loss of services and fundraising events.
Donations can be made on its Coronavirus Appeal page at virginmoneygiving.com/fund/headwaysuffolkappeal or through other methods by calling 01473 712225.
After Headway, Anna received further rehab from an occupational therapist and a neuro psychologist, as well as input from a neuro physiotherapist at Ipswich Hospital.
Anna explained: “I also did a lot of my own work on diet, lifestyle, exercise and psychology, and I have made a good recovery.
“I’m amazed how much even a so called mild brain injury can affect a person. I still have to manage my symptoms day to day.
“My main symptoms still are fatigue, slower processing, some memory issues, some pain, muddling my word up when I’m tired and less flexible thinking.
“But overall I’m pretty good really and am so thankful for all the help and input I’ve had to get me back to where I am today, pretty much functioning normally most of the time.
“I’m fortunate to have a very supportive husband and three lovely children who have been wonderful and very patient with me.
“We are managing well together with everything going on, though obviously it’s an unsettling time for everyone in the world right now.
“I’ve actually found that many of the skills I learned on my recovery journey are helpful in these new circumstances.
“It’s great to see that Headway are still able to provide some services to their clients.”
Last November, three years after her accident and to mark Road Safety Week, Anna and serious injury specialists CFG Law spoke to the East Anglian Daily Times: www.eadt.co.uk/news/anna-leggett-raises-awareness-of-road-safety-week-1-6378745.
In the article, Anna said: “It’s important people give the road their full attention when they’re behind the wheel. Even at slow speeds, accidents can cause significant injuries.
“My life following this accident has been completely changed. If the driver of the vehicle had been paying greater attention to what they were doing, this could easily have been avoided.
“I want to do anything I can to raise awareness of driving more safely, and it encourages me to know that something helpful and good can come out of my experience.”