Cedar Foundation highlights the ‘hidden disability’

A Ballymena man has told his story of how a brain injury affected his life to help the Cedar Foundation mark Brain Injury Awareness Week (May 14-20).

The week featured a series of promotional activities throughout Northern Ireland around the theme of The ‘Hidden Disability’.

Coffee mornings were hosted where Service Users shared experiences and posted comments on the organisation’s website, worked with Service Users to disseminate posters and information leaflets around local communities and, delivered free Brain Injury Awareness Training to employers and community groups.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

At one of the mornings in Ballymena local man Colin Dewar shared his story.

Colin said: “I acquired a brain injury a few years go. My biggest problem is my memory and I have trouble with my eyesight.

“I’ve been coming to Cedar for three months now and I’ve been working on redesigning the garden here. I think Cedar is brilliant I’m really enjoying working on this project and having something to aim for.”

Each year over 2000 people in Northern Ireland sustain a Brain Injury.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Brain Injuries can be caused by a variety of different reasons including falls, road traffic accidents and assault. This can have a life changing effect on the individual, their families and carers.

Some people will have to deal with significant and ongoing difficulties with their memory, concentration, emotions or behaviour as well as physical problems. These individuals may find that due to their injury they face challenges and barriers when they try to re-enter the workplace.

Cedar’s Brain Injury Services aim to enable people surviving Brain Injury to achieve their personal goals for returning to work, gaining qualifications and having an active life.

The Cedar Foundation deliver a range of services in Northern Ireland that enable children and adults with disabilities to be fully included in their communities. To phone Cedar’s Ballymena Training and Resource Centre call 028 2565 9111 or log onto www.cedar-foundation.org