March in an important time for us here at Brain or Shine – as it is Brain Injury Awareness Month here in the UK. This is a chance to raise awareness, share stories, and shine a light on a journey that so many people are walking, often invisibly.
To kick things off, we’re hosting another free webinar with a very special guest, Dominic Smith from Slater and Gordon, one of the leading law firms in the UK. Dominic will be joining us to explain who they are, what areas of law they specialise in, and, most importantly, how they can support you as a brain injury survivor. Living with a brain injury can be confusing and overwhelming, especially when it comes to understanding your rights, accessing support, and navigating the systems around you.
Having expert guidance can make a huge difference, so we really hope you can join us. If you’d like to join us, please click here.
At Brain or Shine, our mission is simple: to help survivors and their loved ones feel supported, informed, and less alone - because brain injury affects far more people than many realise.
Every 90 Seconds
Did you know that in the UK, someone is admitted to hospital with a brain injury every 90 seconds? Let that sink in for a moment. Behind that statistic are real people. Families. Partners. Children. Friends. Lives that have been changed in an instant or altered by a medical event they never saw coming.
Brain injury can be sudden and dramatic, like a fall, accident, or head trauma. But it can also come from a stroke, a tumour, an infection, or a bleed in the brain. However it happens, the impact can be life changing. And yet, for many survivors, the journey is largely invisible.
“But You Look So Well!”
If you live with a brain injury, you’ve probably heard this phrase before. On the surface, it can sound like a compliment. But for many, it feels like a reminder that the struggle happening inside isn’t being seen.
Brain injury is often called a “hidden disability” because so many of the symptoms aren’t obvious. Memory problems, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, sensory overload - these are all things you can’t necessarily see on the outside. Understanding the how helps others understand the why of recovery.
So, let’s break down some of the language you might hear:
- Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) is an umbrella term for any brain injury that occurs after birth. This includes stroke, tumours, infections, lack of oxygen, and other medical causes.
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a subset of ABI and refers to injuries caused by an external force, such as a fall, accident, or blow to the head.
Whether your journey began with a medical condition or a sudden trauma, your experience is valid. There is no hierarchy of suffering, and no “right” way to recover.
Recovery Is Not a Straight Line
Some days are calm and manageable. Words come easily, energy lasts a little longer, and things feel almost “normal.” Other days, we feel heavier. Finding the right words can be difficult, irritability can creep in, balance can feel off, and fatigue can hit hard.
This is completely normal and it doesn’t mean you’re going backwards. It means your brain is healing in its own time, in its own way. On the harder days, it’s okay to slow down. You are doing something incredibly difficult… You’re adapting to a world that doesn’t always understand what it takes for you just to get through the day.
The Good Days, The Not-So-Good Days, And How To Cope With Both
One of the most confusing parts of life after a brain injury is inconsistency. On a good day, things might feel almost familiar. You may be able to follow conversations more easily, find your words without too much effort, and feel like your “mental battery” lasts into the afternoon or even early evening. You might manage an outing, tick something off your list, or feel more like yourself.
On a not-so-good day, everything can feel heavier. Words may sit just out of reach, noise might feel overwhelming, your balance can feel slightly off. Fatigue might arrive suddenly and intensely. Irritability can creep in, not because you want it to, but because your brain is working so hard. This contrast can be frustrating - especially when others only see the good days. So how do you cope with this?
- First, recognise that variation is normal. A difficult day is not failure, and it doesn’t erase the progress you’ve made.
- Second, try to plan around your energy. If you know you have something important coming up, allow space to rest before and after. Think of your energy like a battery that needs charging in between uses.
- Finally, give yourself permission to adjust. Cancelling plans, taking breaks, asking for quiet, or changing expectations are not signs of weakness - they are signs of self-awareness.
Recovery is about learning how to navigate both the good and bad days.
Kindness in the Small Moments
One of the most powerful ways to support someone with a brain injury is through patience and kindness. Because the symptoms are often hidden, it can be easy for others to assume everything is fine - but a little compassion goes a very long way.
Someone living with a brain injury might be able to enjoy a lively group chat one day and feel completely overwhelmed by noise and chatter the next. It’s important to normalise this.
Sometimes, a simple “I’m here if you need a quiet moment” is enough to make someone feel safe, understood, and loved.
Get Involved
Awareness doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful. Small, visible acts can spark important conversations and help people feel seen. Here are a few simple ways you can take part this month:
- Wear green for Brain Injury Awareness Month and share why you’re doing it. A simple post can help educate others and open up conversations.
- Start a conversation - whether that’s at work, school, or online. Sharing one fact (like the “every 90 seconds” statistic we mentioned earlier) can make people pause and reflect.
- Attend our webinar to better understand brain injury and the support available.
- Share trusted resources on social media to help others access information and feel less alone.
And a special date to highlight: Wear A Hat Day - 27th March.
On 27th March, people across the UK take part in Wear A Hat Day, a fundraising event devoted to raising money for Brain Tumour Research.
It’s simple: wear a hat, make a donation if you can, and share a photo on social media to spread the word. Whether it’s a bobble hat, a sunhat, or something out of the box, it all helps shine a light on brain tumours and the urgent need for research funding.
If you’re able to get involved, we’d love to see your photos. Tag us, share your hat, and help us spread awareness. Sometimes raising visibility really can be as simple as putting on a hat.
Brain Injury Awareness Month: Why It Matters
Brain Injury Awareness Month is all about education, empathy, and empowerment. It’s about helping people understand that brain injury is more common than they think, and that recovery is complex, personal, and often invisible.
It’s also about giving survivors and their families tools, information, and a community that understands. That’s why we’re so passionate about what we share here - whether it’s webinars, resources, blogs, or simple reminders that you’re not alone.
If there is one message we want to share this month, it’s that you are not alone in your journey. Whether you’re a survivor, a carer, a family member, or a friend, your experience matters. Your questions matter. Your struggles matter. And your small wins matter more than you might think.
Here’s to awareness, compassion, and celebrating every small step forward together this month, and every month going forward.