theoriginalphantom said:
How many people had heard of Headway before this rant, It would be interesting to see how many members/supporters Headway has (anyone care to guess about 50?)
The cynic in me suggests that its a way of getting free advertising, and are hoping for the BBC to give them something to shut them up.
In answer to your question "theoriginalphantom" that below in italics is a reply to an email from my eldest daughter on my thoughts on the matter as a brain injury survivor and member of Headway. [I don't know who the other 49 are].
I didn't see the show myself - not being able to drive now there's not much point.
Looking at Hammond's miraculous recovery leads me to believe that he never had much of a serious brain injury - rather he was severely knocked unconscious. No bleed, no crush or bone injury.
As one who has suffered an injury rather more serious than Hammond I take a lot of what Hammond has written about his very fast recovery to be piffle.
As for the dribble joke it was unfortunate. I make jokes about spacca's but not where they can hear me.
Persons with BI who dribble or have difficulty with a variety of functions are always aware of the loss and the resulting effect - so that would be insulting I think.
I am one of the lucky ones - there are plenty of others with much less than the injuries I had that are dribbling, gibbering wrecks - I am not insulted and I didn't laugh; but I do feel for those who were - but not to the point of making a worthless complaint.
As for the free advertising I think you are wrong there.
There will be a drama entitled 'Recovery,'starring David Tennant, that will be screened shortly.
The storyline is about a successful builder who suffers brain injury and follows his experiences during his recovery.
Not only did the BBC contact Headway for advice but also put Tennant in touch with a variety of survivors who related their particular experiences to Tennant to assist him with the realism of his portrayal.
I don't know how many members Headway actually have - I know of four - but surely the main qualification for a membership is an unwanted one.