For immediate release

9 June 2011

Five Ladies go BIG

Five ladies are launching the Brain Injury Group (BIG - www.braininjurygroup.org.uk), a new website and online forum providing much needed support for anyone touched by devastating severe brain injuries. These ladies, now good friends, were drawn together by tragedy involving their husbands and sons. Through their personal experiences they have formed BIG to provide support to others who find themselves in a similar situation. The Brain Injury group officially launches on Monday 13 June 2011, coinciding with National Carers’ Week.

When faced with the devastation of a loved one sustaining a brain injury, there is often so much to take in and cope with. You just need someone to talk to who knows how you are feeling. These new friends found that while there are support networks for the families who have suffered a brain injury there are limited sites for those in a minimal awareness or vegetative state.

One of the founders, Judy Taylor says:

“Meeting Anne, Lois, Lynne and Sue at the RoyalHospital for Neuro-disability was one of the milestones in this journey. I just remember Sue holding me as I cried. As we got to know each other we realised we were all doing our own research to find out what support was out there. I’d seen online support for other conditions and knew how good they could be. "We just wanted to give others something we found in each other, somewhere to share experiences, a shoulder to cry on and to gain a greater understanding of the devastation of severe brain injury.”

Angus Somerville, Chief Executive of the RoyalHospital for Neuro-disability, says:

“These five women are an inspiration to us all. Despite the tragic circumstances through which they met, they have not only pulled together for their families and loved ones, but are now dedicated to helping others in the same situation. While professional care and support is important, their personal experience and understanding will offer so much to the families of those unfortunate enough to need treatment and care from organisations such as ours.”