Headway for awareness

Grant had suffered serious head injuries after falling off his mountain bike, but, the family says, support for him after he left hospital was almost non-existant.

Help did come their way, however, from national head injuries charity Headway, which is playing a large part in Brain Injury Awareness Week, running until Sunday.

Grant's father, Tony Rainford, who lives in Ferring, said: "Initially you don't want to hear anything. I just wanted him to get better, but as time goes on we started looking to see if other people had the same experiences.

"We were approached at Southampton Hospital by a representative from Headway and it went from there."

Since the accident more than five years ago, Mr Rainford has become chairman and treasurer of Headway in West Sussex, offering support to those who have suffered head injuries, their carers and relatives.

He runs a 24-hour helpline from his home, a twice-weekly day centre in Worthing, and organises fund-raising.

Grant, 33, now needs constant care and cannot walk but has come a long way since the agonising early days when the family could do nothing but wait.

Mr Rainford explained: "I'd been to the hospital every day, sitting with him, and talking to him. Then on the only day I didn't go in, he woke up and said his first words.

"But then he didn't say another word for a few weeks. It's almost like slow motion.

"We were lucky, Grant knew us when he came round, but a lot don't know their own relatives."

The family members' lives have changed dramatically since the accident.

Grant's sister, Debbie, was last year nominated for Carer of the Year award, and came in the top three.

Mr Rainford said: "If it wasn't for the family, Grant would probably be stuck in some home somewhere."

Head injuries can be caused in many ways, including strokes, accidents, and respiratory failure. And 250 people a year, in Sussex alone, suffer head injuries. But despite these figures, ongoing care is scarce.

Mr Rainford said: "There is a group in Worthing who visit people in their homes and give physiotherapy, but there are only about four of them and they visit lots of other people too.

"Grant does need speech therapy, but we can't get it unless we pay for it ourselves."

But the family is hopeful for the future, Mr Rainford said.

"He is making progress, albeit slowly. It is a very slow business and people do need a lot of support."

Call Headway on 01903 267988.