Boni Williams, one of our service managers, describes how United Response supported Paul to adjust to life after his accident.
Paul acquired his brain injury in a road accident when he was 40 and was referred to United Response four years later. Before his accident Paul had been an IT consultant and a bank manager – coming to terms with the changes in his life and life-style has been no mean feat for him.
Paul can read and write, use a computer and engage in complex conversation. He can do crossword puzzles and regularly beats my team colleagues at Scrabble. But his brain injury is such that he doesn’t always know that he can no longer do some things without support – this understandably can cause him to be defensive or angry.
To support Paul we have equipped him with a range of tools so that he is able to remind himself how to do things. This gives him control rather than always having to be told what or how to do something. For instance, the daily household rota tells Paul which tasks are his responsibility each day. In addition, we have developed some small cards with more detailed instructions about how to complete a task. He can keep these in his pocket and refer to them himself.
He also has a small whiteboard on which we write down his routine for the next day. He then wipes off each item as it is completed. He now writes the board himself, which gives him more autonomy and control.
The consultant neuropsychologist, who had worked with Paul after his accident, carried out a psychological assessment 18 months ago. She was impressed with his progress since coming to live with us, but also recognised his ongoing difficulties.
Paul still has friends and family that he stays in touch with. He is noticeably more relaxed since he first came to us. Some of the unwanted behaviours that he struggles to control have subsided, others have disappeared. He is less worried about where he lives and has got involved in our Local Leadership Team, as well as offered his help in campaigning for people’s rights.
