Former bank worker and social butterfly Clare is recovering from a brain injury at a Chingford care home. Rana Rastegari shares her story
In 2016, 33-year-old Clare’s life changed forever when she fell down some steps that left her with severe cognitive and functional impairments as well as a traumatic brain injury.
As a result of her injuries, the English graduate who worked in the banking industry, developed Kluver-Bucky syndrome.
After undergoing a period of treatment at London’s Royal Hospital for neuro-disability, Clare lived in two ABI units which were unable to meet her complex care and behavioural needs.
In October 2021, she moved into a specialist care home in Chingford, managed by Enable Care, a centre committed to a holistic approach to care.
Clare stated: “Before my accident, I was progressing well in my career and had an active social life, I was always the life and soul of the party! And then everything changed, and I wasn’t the same person anymore”.
“Since I came to live at 1SC, I feel like my life has started again,” continued Clare. “I’ve proved to myself that I can still be the life and soul of the party! I’ve gained more independence and can make choices about how I spend my time, something that is very important to me”.
The care home has 29 beds and is fully equipped to provide rehabilitation and nursing care services for those living with brain injuries or related neurological conditions, with a large focus on increasing independence.
“The team encourages me to have regular days out with my sisters, who live locally, we go shopping together and I enjoy having my nails done. I’m also an auntie to my young nephew and adore spending time with him,” Clare said.
Home manager Marie Goodwin said that improving Clare’s physical strength has helped her to take “a more active role in maintaining [her] own personal care and appearance”.
Marie is also a member of an all-party parliamentary group (APPG) for acquired brain injuries and attended a meeting at the House of Commons last month with a number of MPs and brain injury surprise and other professions.
She stated: “An objective of the APPG is to raise awareness of ABI and to seek improvements in support and services. There is a national shortage of brain injury facilities, by opening up our doors we are shining a light on the impact our services have on people living with brain injury.”
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