In September 2009, Tsepho Boikanyo was involved in a serious car accident resulting in a severe and traumatic head injury.
It left him in a critical state, and he required intense therapy and rehabilitation.
In a letter to the Gazette, Boikanyo credits Headway for providing continual support to him and his family.
Christine Buchanan, therapy manager at Headway explains, “brain injuries don’t just happen to the survivor, they happen to the family.”
The attendees begin with Headway after they complete rehabilitation and are offered group therapy, biokinetic therapy, speech therapy and physiotherapy.
“Its strongly group-based, people usually suffer immense isolation after a brain injury,” said Buchanan.
In understanding the immense cost associated with continued support, Headway’s staff comprises of several supervised volunteer counsellors who offer their services and support to both the injured members and their families.
Boikanyo, a father of two boys, has been an attendee for two years, “my boys had to understand that I couldn’t play soccer with them” but, after consistent therapy he is now able to interact with them more, “I can now read the newspaper, surf the internet and send emails,” he said. He attributes his recovery to the support of Headway, as well as his wife and children.
“[Headway has] helped me in understanding and accepting [my condition], but I have lost many friends in the past four years.” He also referred to an event where he was invited to, but due to the venue being wheelchair inaccessible he had to resort to staying in the car while his family participated.
Buchanan stressed the importance of an increased awareness to brain injury, and a more active understanding of the challenges a survivor has to face, as well as an overall cognizance for people with disabilities.
“People sometimes don’t know how to relate,” she said. The centre aims to empower the patient and their families.
Details: www.headwaygauteng.co.za
